When Is Matt Shaw Getting Called Up? Fantasy Baseball Prospect Outlook (Week 5 Update)

When is Matt Shaw getting called up? Will Shaw get promoted in May 2025? Read about this top fantasy baseball prospect outlook heading into Week 5.

When the Chicago Cubs traded away Isaac Paredes and didn't get Alex Bregman in free agency, it was inevitable that Matt Shaw would be the team's Opening Day third baseman. Even though that turned out to be the case, Chicago's top prospect struggled in his first taste of the big leagues. 

Shaw hit just .172 with one home run and 18 strikeouts in his first 58 at-bats with the Cubs. That slow start led to him being optioned down to Triple-A in the middle of April. Nevertheless, Shaw will get his opportunity again in the majors this season. 

So, when are the Cubs going to call up Shaw again? Can we expect him to be promoted in May? Let's dive in and find out. 

Matt Shaw Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball

The Cubs entered the 2025 season with high hopes for their top prospect. Shaw showed his potential throughout his minor league career and proved that he was MLB-ready after only 159 minor league games. He hit .357 with eight home runs, nine doubles, 28 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 38 games at rookie ball, High-A, and Double-A in 2023 before really taking off the following season. 

Shaw hit 21 home runs, 19 doubles, four triples, 71 RBI, and 31 stolen bases behind a .284/.379/.488 slash line at Double-A and Triple-A during the 2024 minor league season. Therefore, the Cubs were confident in allowing him to be their starting third baseman to begin the 2025 campaign.

Matt Shaw was all over the basepaths tonight.

The @Cubs' top prospect collected his first four-hit performance at the Triple-A level for the @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/XMZH9DUC5m

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 30, 2025

However, Shaw wasn't as MLB-ready as some might have thought. He hit just .172 with two extra-base hits and 18 strikeouts across his first 18 major league games. Since going down to Triple-A, though, MLB Pipeline's No. 18 overall prospect continues to show his potential. The 23-year-old is slashing .324/.452/.500 with one home run, three doubles, and four RBI across his first nine games.

Matt Shaw Outlook for Fantasy Baseball

It's only a matter of time until the Cubs call up their top prospect once again. The team isn't getting much production from its current third basemen (Jon Berti, Justin Turner, Vidal Brujan, and Nicky Lopez), and Shaw would be an upgrade over all four players.

Chicago likely just wants him to gain back his confidence and work on some things mechanically before coming back up. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Shaw to be promoted sometime in May. That makes him a solid stash in most 12-plus team leagues right now.

Matt Shaw hit this ball 507 ft. Yes you read that correctly pic.twitter.com/1LcCObVTu6

— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) March 31, 2023

Shaw has 20-20 potential in this Cubs lineup and will have an everyday role once he gets called up again. After only experiencing major league pitching for the first time this year, the young third baseman should be a way more consistent fantasy option in his second stint in the big leagues. 

Top Prospect Rankings and Call-Up ETAs

You can also check out the rest of RotoBaller's fantasy baseball prospect rankings. Eric Cross updates the below rankings weekly for the top impact prospects for 2025 and when they may be called up.

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