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We (me, but I’ll include you) get into these posts in different ways. Some guys stats are just so undeniable; some guys are so close to the majors or have already debuted; some guys hit the ball 507 feet.

It goes on like that for a solid 12 pages of Google. Because I know you’re thirsty, I’ll show you the actual homer now:

That’s it. It’s with a metal bat into 30 MPH winds, and there’s no wild scream from the announcer indicating Matt Shaw hit the ball into orbit. 507-foot homer and it’s unofficially called that by someone named Big Donkey on Twitter. The official Terps account, quoting above, doesn’t even make mention of it. I am reticent to discount anything from a donkey, because A) We all love Donkey Teeth. B) Discounting a donkey makes a jackass out of you. C) There’s no C. How’sever, this feels a little akin to modern myth-making, he said alliteratively. It’s a modern day Paul Bunyan tale. Or akin to Pat Burrell’s exploits in college. Can we believe this is really a 507-foot blast by Matt Shaw? I don’t know. Does it matter? Harder question to answer. So, what can we expect from Matt Shaw for 2025 fantasy baseball?

Here’s a few more clips, less 507-foot-ish:

And uno mas so you can see him run some more:

There’s a ton of clips of him. I will say this, the prospect community and Cubs fans already love Matt Shaw. Cool, good on them. There’s plenty of reasons to Shaw-hank your crank. He has 60-grade speed and power. His stats last year across Double and Triple-A were 21/31 and hit .298 in Triple-A with a 19.7 K% and 11.2 BB%. The 23-year-old can play 2B, SS and 3B and there’s a ton of clips of him playing solid 3rd. He’s also on the precipice of breaking with the club, after entering last Spring with an opportunity for a spot. There’s a ton to like here and zero reasons why he doesn’t break camp. Or is there?! Damn, Mr. Reversal, you scared the crap out of me.

So, I don’t want to be a hater, but I need a telestrator. I am a poet and aware of it. Look at those clips again of him swinging, notice anything? If I had a telestrator, I’d point out his leg kick. Who is he, Shawn Michaels? That’s a good way to get absolutely killed in the majors. Last guy who had a huge kick like that that I remember succeeding is Luke Voit. What’s that? He’s in the Mexican Leagues now? Okay. No, there are some guys who succeed with it, Joc Pederson comes to mind, Justin Turner, David Ortiz, though his was much faster. MLB pitchers can really exploit someone like Matt Shaw, if he doesn’t quicken his leg step. Though, quickening the leg kick, might make him a gap power guy. He could become a pull-only guy for power, but then he becomes–Hey, Isaac Paredes, where does Matt Shaw play? I guess Paredes can go to DH, Seiya goes to the outfield and, well, pause, the Cubs have a ton of bats. Matt Shaw can succeed, but I’m currently on the low side of what to expect from him. If he hits .214 in Spring Training this year, as he did last year, questions might start coming that the Cubs should trade him for an arm, then he can become a 10/20/.230 hitter on the Pirates. For 2025 fantasy baseball, I’ll give Matt Shaw projections of 38/7/41/.236/18 in 309 ABs with a chance for much more or much less.

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AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
14 days ago

Remember when everyone was all hype for Matt Mervis? I do

frankgrimes
17 days ago

rap snitches, tellin all they business 
sit in the court and be they own star witness 
do you see the perpetrator? yeah I’m right here 
fuck around get the whole label sent up for years

frankgrimes
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

Haha yes but gimme a few more weeks to get the stench of football off of me!

frankgrimes
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

Btw worst season ever amirite? Oof.

jose
jose
17 days ago

Delusional Cubs fan here (hand raise emoji)… and would point out that Shaw does (reportedly) employ a different leg kick for vairous counts/situations. Granted, you covered the issues with modifying or ditching the leg kick, but maybe the adjustment comes more quickly since he is accustomed to modifying it/not using it? I believe this is why he’s been able to keep his K rate down as he climbs the through the Minors. I try not to jump on the Cubs prospect bandwagon for fantasy so I have no shares of Shaw. Just hear to offer a reason for optimism to go along with the flaws. I alsowouldn’t bet on Shaw breaking camp with the Cubs unless Nico isn’t close to being healthy or one of Nico/Bellinger/Paredes gets traded.

toolshed
17 days ago

I kind of like Shaw maybe i am biased since i have him in a dynasty league. Thats good you that you mentioned reports of him playing a good 3b because I recall concerns about his arm. I thought 2b might be his spot, but 3b is the need now.

As soon as you said leg kick i immediately thought of Justin Turner. You covered it a sentence later. I still had to say it to compliment myself for almost keeping up with you. Lol

Last edited 17 days ago by toolshed
toolshed
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

True. It’s not like cubbie fans have ever done that before.

It would also be a mistake if Suzuki isn’t their full time DH. Lets just be nice and say he is a below average OF. I dont know how he won multiple gold gloves in japan.

J.R.
J.R.
17 days ago

I will only get excited if his walkup music is Indian Outlaw.

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

Haha! Can we just get Caissie up for the Casey at the bat jokes?

Harley Earl
Harley Earl
17 days ago

Is it just me, or do you not seem very excited about the incoming group of prospects?

Harley Earl
Harley Earl
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

You just don’t seem to have as much optimism for this group as you’ve had for others. I could be mistaken, though. Just how I’m reading/remembering it.

Hutch
Hutch
17 days ago

I know this is an itch question but who would you keep in a 13 team dynasty…Drake Baldwin or Dalton Rushing…. Only keep one… thank you!

Dave D
Dave D
17 days ago

Good read. All your sage advice reminds me of a quote from Matt’s great great uncle, George Bernard, who once said, “ The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.“

Last edited 17 days ago by Dave D
Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Grey
17 days ago

Ok, sounds good. Let’s shoot for doing one that starts later this week.

Last edited 17 days ago by Dave D