Cubs prospect Matt Shaw catches the attention of broadcaster Jon “Boog” Sciambi

As the Iowa Cubs roster became full of prospects last season, Jon “Boog” Sciambi paid closer attention to what was happening with the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines.

Sciambi, the Cubs play-by-play man for Marquee Sports Network, always tries to keep an eye on the organization’s biggest names. One player in particular stood out to him.

Matt Shaw.

“It’s hard not to look at Shaw and think of a guy who got drafted and went straight to Double-A and then had success last year,” Sciambi said Thursday while speaking at Prairie Meadows’ Evolution of Baseball event to raise money for the ALS Association.

Shaw has definitely developed well. The 23-year-old versatile infielder, a first-round pick by the Cubs in 2023, hit .284/.379/.488 with 19 doubles and 21 home runs in Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Rated No. 1 in the system according to MLB Pipeline, Shaw’s rapid rise has made him one of the organization’s best up-and-coming players. Fans are desperate to see Shaw in Chicago. Sciambi understands why after seeing the young infielder up close during spring training last year.