Cubs Announce Deals with Top Pick Matt Shaw, 6 Other Players from 2023 Draft
The Cubs have officially announced agreements with seven draft picks, including six of their top 10 selections. Among that group is infielder Matt Shaw, their top pick in the draft. Though terms have not been disclosed, MLB.com’s Jim Callis reported that Shaw received the full slot bonus of $4,848,500.
Not yet listed is prep outfielder Zyhir Hope, who will forego his commitment to the University of North Carolina in order to sign with the Cubs. Second-round pick Jaxon Wiggins, a righty out of Arkansas, is working toward a deal and righty Grayson Moore, the Cubs’ 14th-round choice, has reportedly reached an agreement as well. The Cubs have also signed undrafted righty Landon Ginn.
Below is the press release from Sunday:
The Chicago Cubs today announced they have agreed to terms with seven players from the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, including first-round selection (13th overall) infielder Matt Shaw from the University of Maryland. The Cubs have agreed to terms with six of their first 10 selections from the draft. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Along with Shaw, the Cubs have agreed to terms with catcher Michael Carico (fifth round), outfielder Alfonsin Rosario (sixth round), outfielder Brett Bateman (eighth round), first baseman Jonathon Long (ninth round), right-handed pitcher Luis Martinez-Gomez (10th round) and third baseman Brian Kalmer (18th round).
Shaw, 21, batted .341 (90-for-264) with 20 doubles, one triple, 24 home runs, 69 RBI, a .445 on-base percentage and a 1.142 OPS in 62 games for the University of Maryland in 2023. He was named the Brooks Wallace Award winner, honoring the nation’s top collegiate shortstop, as well as the Big Ten Player of the Year, leading the Terps to the
Big Ten title.
In 167 games across three seasons with the Terps, the five-foot 11-inch, 185-pound Shaw batted .320 (222-for-693) with 47 doubles, two triples, 53 home runs, 166 RBI and a 1.036 OPS. In 2022 and 2023, he recorded back-to-back 20-plus home run seasons (22 in 2022, 24 in 2023). Shaw is a two-time All-Big Ten selection and was named a Gold Spikes Award semifinalist in 2023.
Prior to his junior year, Shaw was named the Cape Cod League Most Valuable Player, after slashing .360/.432/.574 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 19 RBI in 36 games, leading the Bourne Braves to the league championship.
Carico, 20, batted .350 (28-for-80) with six doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBI, but was limited to 21 games with Davidson in 2023. During the 2022 campaign, Carico led the nation with a .559 on-base percentage, while going 80-for-197 (.406) with 21 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs and 57 RBI. Following the season, he was named a Second Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Collegiate Baseball and D1Baseball.com.
Both Shaw and Carico were recommended by area scout Billy Swoope.
