The Chicago Cubs have all nine positions in the field figured out except the bench.
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Infielder Matt Shaw is a prime candidate to make the Cubs bench as a super-utility player, and is adding playing first base to his repertoire. Manager Craig Counsell said he knows the Cubs are giving Shaw a “kind of a difficult Spring Training experience”, asking him to play first base.
“Look, we’re giving him kind of a difficult Spring Training experience here,” Counsell said to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. “I respect what he’s doing this spring. It hasn’t been easy, for sure. But, I’d rather make it hard right now and then go into the season with at least some experience at all these things.”
Matt Shaw is embracing the idea of playing first base for the Chicago Cubs, despite never playing there
In Shaw’s entire professional baseball career, college career, and short time in the major leagues, he has never played first base. Primarily a middle infielder, playing 124 games at third base last year, Shaw is excited for the opportunity to get more at-bats by playing first base.
“Definitely, I want to get as many at-bats as I possibly can,” Shaw said. “If that means playing a lot of different positions, then I think it kind of just is what it is. If I can continue to get better at those positions, then I think I’ll be in a good place to, No. 1, get a lot of at-bats, and No. 2, give guys days off if they need it to keep our team healthy going into October.”
The Cubs’ former first-round pick (13th overall) in 2023 feels he’s covering the nuances of playing first well.
“There’s small nuances that I’m learning,” Shaw said. “But overall I feel like I covered all the basics pretty well. It’s small things that I’m learning. Obviously, it’s Day 1 ever at first, but overall I feel really, really good.”
Matt Shaw could be a decent choice to back up Michael Busch if he needs a day off
The Cubs’ primary first baseman last season and going into this season is Michael Busch. Busch had a breakout campaign in 2025, batting .261 with an OPS of .866 and 34 home runs in 155 games. Busch played 151 games at first base and had a value of two defensive runs saved.
The Cubs’ turning to Shaw to maybe play first base is because Tyler Austin will be out for months with a knee injury. Prospect Moises Ballesteros is also a likely candidate to back up Busch. But Ballesteros has high upside, and will need everyday at-bats at Triple-A.
Shaw adding first base to his repertoire will help his chances of getting playing time in 2026. However, he will need to prove he can handle playing a position he’s never played.
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