Cubs’ Matt Shaw won’t have long runway in right field

Cubs right fielder Matt Shaw was confident in his ability to field balls to the side of him. As a nominal infielder, it’s natural for him to range left or right.

But in the second inning, he got tested with a difficult play. Daylen Lile hit a line drive that changed flight in the windy Chicago air, but Shaw was able to track it and complete a leaping catch. The ball had an expected batting average of .310, and though it didn’t look natural, Shaw made the play. There’s nothing like trial by fire.

“Before the game, I said this is not the ideal day to make your debut in right field with how the weather was today, but [Shaw] did a nice job,” manager Craig Counsell said.

Thursday’s 10-4 Opening-Day loss was the first test for Shaw as he acclimates to right field after Seiya Suzuki’s PCL sprain in the World Baseball Classic. Counsell said pregame that he doesn’t expect Suzuki to return before the end of the homestand. So after getting a crash course in multiple positions, Shaw will likely be the team’s everyday right fielder until Suzuki returns. Shaw was 0-for-3 at the plate on Thursday.

“It’s a little bit crazy, like seeing my name out in [right field],” Shaw told the Sun-Times. “But, I mean, we’re ready to rock and roll. I’m just fired up, feeling confident this year.”

Starter Matthew Boyd allowed six runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. Michael Busch was 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. The offense couldn’t muster enough run support to overcome the poor pitching performance.

But it’s likely that the offense that finished Top 10 in runs turns it around and doesn’t go 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position. But after Nico Hoerner agreed to a six-year extension with the Cubs Thursday, Shaw’s path to playing time remains in a utility role or showing that he’s adept in the outfield.

There are going to be low moments for Shaw this season. On a team with World Series aspirations and Gold Glove defenders at multiple positions, Shaw’s right-field defense is the only question mark, and the Cubs won’t give him a long runway. In the fourth inning, Shaw missplayed a line drive that went right over his head for a double.

“There’s got to be competition; that’s how this works,” Counsell said. “To prove that he’s better than the next option, right? That’s how this works. That’s still going to be the deal for Matt, as it is for a lot of players. That’s just the challenge, so he’s gonna have to do it by playing well.”

Counsell said that as Shaw gets experience, he should improve, just as he did at the plate last season. Shaw batted .258 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs in the second half, compared to .198 and two homers in the first half.

It was a struggle for Shaw, a celebrated top prospect who got a taste of how challenging the majors are. Now, after playing Gold Glove defense, Shaw has to get up to speed in right field, a position he had never played in the majors before Thursday.

Thursday showed how steep Shaw’s learning curve will be. He might make routine plays look more difficult than they should be, and might make some really impressive grabs. It’s all about the process, but Shaw doesn’t have time for a test run. The Cubs will need him to be a steady presence as they embrace playoff expectations.