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As excitement brews in Chicago with the BN/Ankin/HVAC watch party on the horizon, there’s plenty happening in the world of Cubs baseball. The Cubs are set for an intriguing match-up against the Sox, and fans are abuzz with the much-anticipated Cade Horton Day.

Matt Shaw has been the talk of the town at Triple-A Iowa, showcasing an exceptional performance that is hard to ignore. Shaw’s recent stats are eye-popping, boasting a line of .324/.418/.603 with a 164 wRC+ in his last five games. His season total at Triple-A is equally impressive, hitting .284/.408/.519 and logging a 144 wRC+. With a sample size of 98 plate appearances so far, the Cubs are provided with enough data to assess his progress and potential impact.

This surge in Shaw’s performance comes at a time when the Cubs are grappling with subpar output from their third base. Since Shaw’s demotion, Cubs' third basemen have put up a dreadful .179/.274/.214 with a 47 wRC+, the second worst in Major League Baseball. Their defensive metrics are just as unimpressive with a -3.8 defensive runs value, contributing to a position WAR of -1.1, again placing near the bottom league-wide.

The Cubs are in dire need of a boost at third base, and a robust Matt Shaw could be the solution they seek. Even a moderate version of Shaw's upside could bring significant improvement. However, the Cubs initially sent Shaw down to Triple-A for a reason, believing he needed to refine his approach at the plate. Whether it’s time for his return will depend on the Cubs' assessment of his readiness to challenge big league pitching effectively.

While Shaw’s potential promotion remains under scrutiny, the Cubs are making moves to bolster their pitching depth. The organization reportedly signed veteran Kenta Maeda to a minor league deal, fortifying Triple-A Iowa's roster. Additionally, promising performances from pitchers like Connor Noland, who recently struck out eight batters in six innings, provide hope for future call-ups in times of need.

Meanwhile, lefty reliever Riley Martin has turned around a rough start to the season with impressive numbers, including a 0.54 ERA and a 35.9% strikeout rate in his last 16.2 innings. Despite his high walk rate of 15.6% potentially holding him back from a near-term major league debut, Martin's progress signals his rising value within the organization.

As the Cubs navigate these developments, the performance and growth at Triple-A will remain critical, potentially shaping the main roster as the season progresses.