CHICAGO – As the dust settles on a turbulent 2025 season, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer made a statement that sent a ripple of hope through Wrigleyville. During his end-of-season press conference, Hoyer singled out Matt Shaw, the 23-year-old infielder who became one of the team’s few bright spots, predicting that he’s “going to be a really good Cub for a long time.”
For a franchise still searching for consistency, those words hit like thunder. Hoyer’s declaration wasn’t just a vote of confidence — it was a message of rebuilding around youth, and Shaw, who burst onto the scene with power and poise, has quickly become the face of that next generation.
“He had a really good year,” Hoyer said with conviction. “It’s something to build on. He’s young, he’s smart, and he’s everything you want in a future cornerstone.”
Shaw, who was drafted 13th overall in 2023, made his long-awaited debut midseason and didn’t disappoint. Across 62 games, he posted a .282 batting average, 9 home runs, and 29 RBIs, flashing both offensive firepower and defensive sharpness at third base. But beyond the numbers, it was Shaw’s attitude — his quiet confidence, his work ethic, his fire to compete — that caught the attention of management and fans alike.
“It’s not easy stepping into Wrigley as a rookie,” Hoyer admitted. “But the kid didn’t flinch. You could see it — he belongs here.”
Inside the clubhouse, veterans have echoed that sentiment. “He’s got that edge,” said shortstop Dansby Swanson. “You see it in the way he approaches every at-bat. He doesn’t care who’s on the mound — he believes he can win every battle.”
That mentality was on full display during the Cubs’ late-season surge, where Shaw’s clutch performances — including a game-winning double against the Cardinals and a towering homer versus Milwaukee — fueled what fans dubbed “Shaw Time.”
Still, Hoyer’s comments are striking because they come at a crossroads moment for the organization. The Cubs, plagued by inconsistency and injuries, fell short of the playoffs again, leaving many fans frustrated. But the front office appears determined to shift focus toward youth development rather than splashy free-agent moves.
“Rebuilding doesn’t mean retreating,” Hoyer said firmly. “It means investing in the right people — players who want to grow here, who understand what it means to wear this uniform.”
For Shaw, those words mark both an honor and a challenge. The young star told reporters after the season that he’s ready to shoulder that weight. “I came here to win,” he said. “Hearing that kind of faith from Jed — it makes me want to work even harder. Chicago deserves a team that never quits.”
Fans have already embraced Shaw as one of their own, flooding social media with comparisons to past Cubs icons and urging the front office to “build around Matt.”
Whether Shaw becomes the next cornerstone of the Cubs’ future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Jed Hoyer has made it clear that the rebuild will revolve around heart, hunger, and homegrown talent — and Matt Shaw checks every box.
As one Cubs insider put it best, “He’s not just a promising rookie — he’s the start of something the North Side hasn’t felt in years: belief.”
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