Cubs Prospect Makes Double-A Debut

Chicago Cubs first-round pick Matt Shaw made his Double-A debut on Wednesday night with the Tennessee Smokies, going 1-for-5 at the plate.

The Cubs promoted Shaw from High Class-A South Bend on Tuesday, but Shaw did not play in the first game of a six-game series with Biloxi.

Shaw played shortstop and batted second in his debut.

In fact, Shaw collected a hit in his first Double-A at-bat, as he singled to right field.

From there, Shaw grounded out in the third, grounded out in the sixth, grounded into a fielder’s choice in the seventh and grounded out to end the game in the ninth. Biloxi won the game, 7-4.

This is the third Cubs affiliate that Shaw has played for since he joined the organization earlier this year. With South Bend, he slashed .393/.427/.655/1.082 with four doubles, three triples, four home runs and 18 RBI. He also scored 14 runs and stole 12 bases.

Before that, he spent three games with the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League rookie team, where he batted .500 with a double, a home run and an RBI.

The Cubs drafted Shaw in the first round in July, acquiring a player with a reputation of having a polished bat who was selective at the plate and drew more walks than strikeouts.

In his final season with Maryland, Shaw set career highs in home runs and stolen bases.

Shaw is already considered the Cubs’ No. 6 overall prospect by MLB.com and is the first Cubs prospect out of the site’s overall Top 100.