As famous this morning by Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs have “evaluated options” to 3rd baseman Christopher Morel this season, with one such various presumably being prime prospect Matt Shaw.
Morel has began 50 of the staff’s 66 video games this 12 months at third base, taking up from the group that shared the place down the stretch final season: Nick Madrigal, Jeimer Candelario (now with the Reds), Miles Mastrobuoni, and Patrick Knowledge. Madrigal began 11 video games at third this 12 months (and stuffed in as a defensive alternative on 25 different events), however he was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month and is presently on the minor league injured listing. Knowledge, in the meantime, has performed a utility position off the bench, taking reps at first base, third base, proper discipline, and DH. Mastrobuoni additionally performed a utility position earlier than he was optioned in mid-Could.
Previous to this season, Morel had solely performed 180 2/3 MLB innings on the scorching nook, having spent extra time in his first two seasons at second base and within the outfield. Nevertheless, he performed 156 video games at third base in his minor league profession – greater than every other place – and after his sturdy efficiency on the plate final 12 months (26 residence runs and an .821 OPS in 107 video games) the Cubs needed to seek out him a place to maintain his bat within the lineup frequently. Sadly, his glove has been all however unplayable at third base this 12 months. Morel has already made eight errors, and his -8 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -11 Outs Above Common (OAA) each rank final amongst all third basemen. In truth, his -11 OAA ranks useless final in all of baseball.
To make issues worse, Morel’s bat has not been what it was final season. Whereas he’s on tempo for almost 30 residence runs, his .702 OPS is barely above the league common. That’s not horrible, however his .203/.315/.388 slash line definitely doesn’t justify his awkward match at third base. His .375 xwOBA (tenth amongst certified NL batters) suggests he’s due for some constructive regression, however even when he begins hitting once more, it’s turn out to be clear he’s a significantly better match at DH (the place has has began his different 15 video games) than third base.
Sadly for the Cubs, they aren’t precisely flush with different choices. Madrigal has a easy glove, however his bat is a severe weak spot; he has a .616 OPS over three seasons with the Cubs and a .535 OPS this season. Knowledge is off to a poor begin on the plate himself, and his defensive metrics at third base over the previous few years have been almost as dangerous as Morel’s. Mastrobuoni has by no means appeared like greater than a bench piece, and the identical may very well be stated of David Bote.
Due to this fact, except the Cubs are planning to look exterior the group for a brand new third baseman, their finest resolution may very well be a prospect like Shaw. The 22-year-old is presently taking part in for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, with whom he has a 118 wRC+ in 69 video games over the previous two years. Shaw bought the majority of his begins at shortstop final season, however he has slid over to 3rd for 35 out of 54 video games in 2024. His glove won’t ever be a standout instrument; like Morel, he simply wants a place so he can get his highly effective swing and fast legs into the lineup.
Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs all have Shaw ranked because the No. 3 prospect within the Cubs group, which is broadly thought of one of many deepest farm techniques within the recreation. Nevertheless, given his younger age and lack of expertise above Double-A, he received’t be the speedy reply in Chicago. As Mooney places it, the Cubs are “open to the likelihood” that Shaw “may finally turn out to be a part of the answer.” Till then, the Cubs would possibly simply need to hope Morel turns it round on the plate sufficient to masks his struggles with the glove. He might already be doing simply that, with a .934 OPS in his final 10 video games.