As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Chicago Cubs are making some competitive moves and look like a threat to the Brewers at the top of the NL Central. They traded away a nice haul for Kyle Tucker. They have a young team that should only improve as their top 5 prospects are all set to debut or graduate, or hopefully both, in 2025. Their system is headlined by Matt Shaw, who is presumed to be the opening-day third baseman who will provide some power and speed to this lineup, which is already quite strong. The system is very position player-heavy, which might help out in trades as the Cubs are looking to be in the market for starting pitching at the deadline, either for this year or going forward. The draft class took a slight hit as they traded Cam Smith in the aforementioned Kyle Tucker trade, but this is a strong system that will get weaker in 2025 but for the right reasons. The issue will be finding the next wave of talent after this current wave matriculates to the majors, which is why Jed Hoyer is paid the big bucks.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
Evaluators: Rhys White, Matt Thompson, Tyler Paddor, Neal Dave, Nate Rasmussen, Samuel Gomez, Max Ellingsen
1. Matt Shaw, 3B - 60 OFP 2. Cade Horton, RHP - 55 OFP 3. Moises Ballesteros, C - 50 OFP 4. Kevin Alcantara, OF - 50 OFP 5. Owen Caissie, OF - 50 OFP 6. James Triantos, 2B - 45 OFP 7. Cole Mathis, 1B - 45 OFP 8. Brandon Birdsell, RHP - 45 OFP 9. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP - 45 OFP 10. Jefferson Rojas, SS - 45 OFP 11. Angel Cepeda, SS - 45 OFP 12. Jonathon Long, 1B - 45 OFP 13. Brody McCullough, RHP - 45 OFP 14. Ben Cowles, 2B - 40 OFP 15. Pedro Ramirez, 2B - 40 OFP 16. Will Sanders, RHP - 40 OFP 17. Jack Neely, RHP - 40 OFP 18. Cristian Hernandez, SS - 40 OFP 19. Alexander Canario, OF - 40 OFP 20. Fernando Cruz, SS - 40 OFP
Scouting Reports
3B Matt Shaw
DOB: 10/27/2004
HT: 6-1
WT: 176
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2023 Draft, Round: 1 ($4,848,500)
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: 2026
Grades:
Hit
Power
Field
Throw
Run
OFP
Risk
55
60
45
50
60
60
Moderate
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cubs seem like they have gotten a star on their hands in Matt Shaw, and he could be the opening-day third-baseman for the Cubs as he is not only the best option there but is on the doorstep of making the major leagues. Matt Shaw is a smaller athlete but one of the twitchier players in the minors. He has easy-plus wheels and could very well be one of the league’s better stolen-base threats as soon as next year. He pairs that with a good feel for making contact, good balance, and quick hands through the zone. Matt Shaw shows a level of barrel malleability that isn’t common and could portend to more contact and even more power coming as he gets more reps against big-league pitching. Shaw shows a good feel for lifting, pulling, and getting out in front of pitches. He even shows a good feel for taking the ball the other way with authority. He has an unconventional gait when he runs, and that has led to some Isiah Pacheco comps in his running form, but he is twitchy and gets up to speed rather quickly. The Cubs may try him in the outfield at some point because he is a bit stretched at third base, but because of the Cubs roster construction, he has to play third. He should just be below-average there where he struggles with some reads and won’t ever make the highlight real play. Shaw has the chance to hit the middle of the Cubs lineup and be a power-speed threat they really need. The ultimate defensive home is in the air, but the bat has been ready since September. - Rhys White
FANTASY SPIN
Shaw looks to be in the Cub's plans for 2025; they moved two players he was competing with for playing time in the Kyle Tucker trade (Isaac Paredes/Cam Smith). He has a great approach at the plate and doesn't sell out for power, taking advantage when he gets a good pitch to hit. Nitpicking here for a second, Shaw struggled while facing non-fastballs in Triple-A. 40% whiff rate against off-speed and 44% against breaking pitches. That fact, and the position he lands at, is the only question for Shaw. He is a five-category guy and should be treated as a top-tier prospect, especially since he's likely to be in the major leagues for most of 2025. A .280, 20/20 stat line is attainable for this talented infielder - Tom Gates
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
