MESA, Ariz. – Late last week, Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw called over veteran corner infielder Justin Turner to check out his locker.
The 23-year-old third baseman used four pieces of athletic tape to secure a sheet of printer paper to one side. At the top was Turner’s full name and date of birth, written in pen. And under it, Shaw had outlined Turner’s whole career, from 2006, when he was drafted by the Reds, to present.
“I thought it’d be a funny kind of little thing,” Shaw said, “but also respectful to show him that he’s had a really amazing career and to show my interest in that.”
Shaw, slowed by an oblique injury, didn’t make his Cactus League debut until Sunday. But he ingratiated himself with teammates – those he knew from his first big-league camp last year and those the Cubs brought in more recently – with his work ethic, poise, and curiosity before ever entering a game this spring.
Now, Shaw has a little over a week to prove that he’s ready to play in Japan.
He took the first step Sunday, when he played four innings in the Cubs’ 7-3 loss to the Reds. Starting at third base and batting second in the order, Shaw grounded out twice and popped out in foul territory once in three at-bats.
“I just want him to have him enjoy the day,” manager Craig Counsell said before the game, “and play his four innings and come back feeling good and have a great day tomorrow.”
Shaw is scheduled to play every other day to begin his ramp-up. The Cubs are prioritizing his long-term health and don’t see a need to rush the buildup before his major-league debut. The fact that he hasn’t yet played in a major-league game also makes projecting timelines trickier than it would be for an established player.
The Cubs only have eight days of games left before boarding their flight to Japan. But they haven’t ruled out the Tokyo Series for Shaw.
“Personally, I think that I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to be ready for this situation,” said Shaw, noting that he’d play every day if they’d let him. “But it’s out of my hands. So, I’m going to keep trying to do what I do every day and be consistent. And if I get the opportunity to go, I’ll be overjoyed. And if not, that’s just part of the process.”
This spring is different than last for Shaw. He wasn’t poised to make the team out of camp in 2024, but the Cubs brought him in to learn from, and make connections with, major-leaguers like shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Now, he’s competing for a job. But he’s still soaking up lessons from veterans. This year, as Shaw continues to settle in at third base, he has Turner to lean on. Though the Cubs brought in Turner, 40, for his bat and plan to primarily play him at first base when he’s in the field, he spent most of his decorated career at third.
“We’ve had already several, for how young he is, really advanced conversations about hitting,” Turner said of Shaw. “Some advanced conversations about defense and playing third base, which is a fairly new position for him – which, I was in the same boat.”
Turner’s debut with the Orioles at third base in 2009, after playing mostly second base in the minors, was on Shaw’s outline.
Turner’s first reaction to the report was to laugh. Then he told him Shaw missed two things: first All-Star Game and Roberto Clemente Award.
“It was pretty good,” Turner later admitted with a smile.