The Chicago Cubs surprised many in the 2023 MLB Draft by selecting Maryland shortstop Matt Shaw with the 13th overall pick. Shaw, known for his impressive hitting ability, had been projected to go around that spot in the draft. Despite some concerns about his long-term defensive ability at shortstop, the Cubs were enamored with his bat.

Shaw, 21, had an outstanding collegiate career, excelling in the Big Ten and earning MVP honors in the Cape Cod League. He showcased his hitting prowess by having more extra-base hits than strikeouts in his final season. The Cubs, known for their affinity for college position players, saw Shaw as a high-value pick, even though he may not stick at shortstop in the long run.

The decision to draft Shaw has raised questions about the Cubs' overall strategy in the draft. Some experts believed there were other college bats available, like Kyle Teel and Jacob Gonzalez, who could have been selected instead. However, the Cubs were impressed by Shaw's high batted ball metrics and believed in his potential to be a Statcast darling.

It remains to be seen how Shaw will develop in the Cubs' system, but his talent at the plate is a promising start to his professional career. Cubs fans will be eagerly watching to see if Shaw can live up to the hype and make a significant impact in the future.