MESA, Ariz. -- On Monday, Cubs infielder Matt Shaw packed for Tokyo … even though he did not know if he would be going.
But on Tuesday morning, manager Craig Counsell called him into his office and gave him the news. Shaw -- the Cubs’ top overall prospect and No. 19 in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline -- is going to Japan. He is one of 31 Cubs players expected to make the trip for the upcoming Tokyo Series against the Dodgers on March 18-19.
“Super excited, obviously,” Shaw said. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a really long time; a great moment, for sure.”
The 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Shaw advanced through four levels of the Minor Leagues in just 159 career games. Last year, he posted an .867 OPS and hit 21 home runs between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, earning MVP honors in the Southern League.
Last month, Shaw suffered a left oblique strain that has limited him to just six Cactus League games, including his 1-for-2 performance on Tuesday against the Brewers. Cumulatively, Shaw is 5-for-16 (.313) with four RBIs in Cactus League play.
The oblique injury could have caused Shaw to put excess pressure on himself when he returned. But he says he was never too worried about it.
“I've been preparing for this opportunity for my entire life,” Shaw said. “It just came down to, 'Will they let me play?'”
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he was struck by Shaw’s measured response when the team told him he was going to Tokyo.
“He wasn't overwhelmed by the moment,” Hoyer said. “With him, I think he feels like, ‘OK, I'll savor this moment and then I'll move on to the next thing.’ … He's not the biggest guy. He's been proving people wrong a little bit his whole life, and I think he enjoys that.”
After Shaw sustained his injury, the Cubs wanted to make sure he was healthy and playing well before committing to include him on the travel roster. He ultimately checked those boxes.
While it seems likely that Shaw will be on it, the Cubs will not announce the 26-man active roster for the Tokyo Series until much closer to the season-opening game, which is next Tuesday at 5:10 a.m. CT. Shaw is not on the 40-man roster, so the team would need to make a corresponding roster move to add him to the active roster.
Although Shaw tempered his excitement on Tuesday, that might be more challenging when he plays in his first Major League game.
“I haven't seen the lineup for Game 1 against the Dodgers, obviously,” Shaw said. “But actually being out there, making my debut hopefully, playing against the reigning World Series champs ... I mean, how amazing would that be?”
“He's got a chance to be a very, very good player, an impact player,” Counsell said. “This is the start of it.”
Brown, Wicks among Cubs pitchers expected to travel to Tokyo
As the Cubs assembled their 31-man travel roster for the Tokyo Series, they prioritized pitchers who can provide length. Left-hander Jordan Wicks and right-hander Ben Brown are two of the club’s rotation depth options, and both are expected to make the trip.
“You've got to think about backup plans,” Counsell said. “The fact that you can't go get a player for the second game is relevant.”
Right-hander Brad Keller, a non-roster invitee whom the team signed to a Minor League deal in January, is also expected to travel to Japan. Keller’s stuff ticked up this spring. Counsell said Tuesday that the club is considering using him in shorter stints out of the bullpen.
Right-handers Daniel Palencia and Eli Morgan are also on the expected travel roster.
Right-hander Keegan Thompson, who posted a 2.67 ERA in 30 1/3 innings out of the Cubs’ bullpen last year, is not expected in Japan. In four Cactus League appearances, Thompson allowed three runs, all on solo homers, in 4 2/3 innings.
“It is hard to evaluate Spring Training,” Hoyer said, “but ultimately, that was how we made the decision. I thought Keegan threw well here, but ultimately we felt like some guys were better.”
McGuire among position players on expected travel roster
Reese McGuire is expected to make the trip to provide catching depth behind Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly.
Gage Workman, a Rule 5 Draft selection in December, is on the travel roster as an infielder who can cover a variety of positions, and utility man Vidal Bruján is expected in Tokyo as well.
Counsell said that outfielder Kevin Alcántara (Chicago’s No. 6 prospect) will not make the trip.