Shaw's next show of versatility? Trying out first base

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs asked Matt Shaw recently if he was willing to try his hand at first base as part of his move to a super utility role for this season. Shaw was all in, but he would need to find the proper glove to add to his growing collection.

“They found one in the back,” Shaw said with a laugh.

For Wednesday’s 9-8 Cactus League win over the Royals, Shaw took the field wearing a brown and red first baseman’s glove that belongs to veteran catcher Carson Kelly. While Shaw has moved all around the infield as a professional and had some outfield experience in the past before this spring, this position was completely new.

The Cubs added first base to Shaw’s preseason plate after losing Tyler Austin -- signed over the winter to be the primary backup to Michael Busch -- for a significant amount of time due to right knee surgery. Chicago has a few other options, but felt it was worth exploring if Shaw could also offer another contingency plan.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell appreciates how Shaw has handled his diversified workload.

“Look, we’re giving him kind of a difficult Spring Training experience here,” Counsell said. “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.”

The 24-year-old Shaw was the Cubs’ primary third baseman last year, but the blockbuster signing of Alex Bregman over the offseason bumped him from that starting role. With no clear spot on the diamond for Shaw, Chicago decided to give him an extensive look in the outfield this spring, while keeping him in the infield rotation behind the regulars.

Through Wednesday, Shaw had made Cactus League starts in right field (six games), second base (two), third base (two), center field (one) and now first base (one). He had one game in which he moved from right field to center. Of the three outfield spots, right field is the best path to at-bats, given Seiya Suzuki’s history of doubling as a designated hitter.

Shaw understands that his willingness to tackle this role aids his ability to get regular at-bats, while also giving Counsell a better chance to find days to use the DH role to get other players off their feet.

“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.”

Shaw said he was asked about first base in the wake of Austin’s injury and has had a handful of morning workouts in which he got an initial taste of the position. In Wednesday’s game, he had a few plays that offered a quick introduction to some of the nuances of playing the position.

In the fourth inning, for example, Shaw broke to his right on a grounder off the bat of Kansas City’s Peyton Wilson, but swiftly retreated to first upon seeing second baseman Nico Hoerner’s positioning. They had a brief on-field chat after recording the out. One batter later, Shaw made a fielding error on a chopper from Brett Squires. It was a play he could have waited a moment longer before charging in hard at the ball.

“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.”

Counsell expressed confidence that Shaw would continue to pick up things quickly with more experience. The Cubs saw that happen last season, when he embraced third base, improved throughout the year and ended up as a finalist for a Gold Glove Award.

“Matt’s athleticism, probably, is what shows up first,” Counsell said. “That makes you confident that the more he’s out there, the better it’s just going to keep getting. I think that’s the takeaway from the coaching staff.”

Asked if he felt like a lot was being thrown at him this spring, Shaw said he has actually enjoyed diving into it all.

“Honestly, it’s been a lot of fun,” Shaw said. “It kind of feels a little bit like Little League again, playing a bunch of different positions and moving around.”