First-round pick says Cubs are a 'perfect fit'

Shaw was prolific this season, slashing 341/.445/.697 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs. The 21-year-old shortstop aims to rise up the minor league ranks quickly and get to the majors in short order. And the Cubs may fit the bill in this regard.

“I wanted to be at a team that I thought would move me up and give me the opportunity to kind of fail early and learn, to kind of get my footing through playing against really good competition," Shaw explained. "Moving up to Double-A, moving up to the Majors. For me, the Cubs, I think, will do a good job with that. And that's really exciting to me.”

Shaw said being with the Cubs is unbelievable and they're a team he really wanted to go play for. Despite growing up a Red Sox fan, Shaw feels playing at historic Wrigley Field is where he ultimately belongs.   

"The history of the field, the players that are there, seemed like a perfect fit for me," Shaw said. "When my name got called for Chicago, it was like 'this is great, this is perfect'. It just felt right."

The Cubs starting shortstop is currently All-Star Dansby Swanson, who's in the first year of a seven-year, $177M dollar contract. Swanson texted Shaw and joked with him about a position switch.

“He says, ‘Matt, you've got to go play second base, you're not gonna play short,’” Shaw said. 

If Shaw can continue to hit for average and power, he'll be in the majors swiftly and part of an infield tandem with Swanson.