Shaw and Cubs' Top Prospects Shine in High-Scoring Game Against Louisville

In a thrilling display of talent, the future stars of the Chicago Cubs showcased their skills on Sunday at Principal Park. Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, and Kevin Alcántara combined for an impressive nine runs in a 17-10 defeat against the Louisville Bats. The Cubs' top prospects, ranked among the Top 100, collectively recorded 13 hits, including seven extra-base hits, highlighting their offensive prowess.

Leading the charge was Matt Shaw, MLB’s No. 22 prospect, who achieved his first four-hit game at the highest level of the Minor Leagues. Following a two-hit performance the previous night, Shaw's momentum continued as he hit a home run in the second inning off Reds' right-hander David Buchanan, marking his second homer in as many games and his third in the last four outings.

Shaw's Saturday home run was his 20th of the season, and with 20 stolen bases to his name, he became only the second Cubs Minor Leaguer since 2006 to achieve a 20/20 season, joining Jake Slaughter who accomplished this feat in 2022.

"For my first Minor League season, it was something that I'm really happy about," Shaw expressed. "Hopefully, I can keep it going and continue to improve. Stealing more bases is something I could have done better this year, but overall, I'm very excited."

The offensive fireworks didn't stop there. Caissie, ranked No. 33 in MLB, kicked off the scoring with a hard-hit single in the first inning, later scoring on Alcántara’s 14th home run of the season. Alcántara, who is ranked No. 69, also contributed with an RBI single and a double, boosting his batting average to .292 in 29 games with Iowa.

Shaw praised his teammates, saying, "They're really talented players. We have a lot of young talent, and it's great to learn from each other and push one another. It's exciting for all of us to play together."

In the sixth inning, Caissie added to the scoring with a solo home run, marking his 19th long ball for the I-Cubs, just three shy of his personal best from last season. He nearly completed the cycle, falling just a triple short in his first four-hit game of 2024.

Shaw and Ballesteros also made their mark, hitting back-to-back extra-base hits in the fourth inning. Shaw's fourth triple of the season was followed by a double from Ballesteros, who is ranked No. 41 in MLB.

Shaw's stellar performance improved his Triple-A batting line to .296/.382/.565, and he added his 29th stolen base of the season during the game. This contest marked Shaw's 115th of the 2024 season, as he continues to set personal records in his first full season in the minors.