School: University of Maryland; Class: Junior
Position: SS; B/T: R/R
Height: 5-11; Weight: 185
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Worcester Academy
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Background: It’s not hyperbole to say that the University of Maryland isn’t a baseball school. Actually, it’s probably an understatement to say that. The Terrapins have produced just four midsummer first round picks since 1967. And the most recent was southpaw Brett Cecil 16 years ago. But that’s only part of the story: the school’s churned out just four players chosen within the first three rounds since the turn of the century.
Shortstop Matt Shaw will change that.
A product of Worcester Academy, Shaw entered the Big Ten with little fanfare. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder hit .332/.409/.544 with 16 doubles, one triple, seven homeruns, and seven stolen bases during his freshman season. And he continued to batter the competition as he moved into the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League that summer as well, slugging .369/.469/.689 with 21 extra-base knocks in only 35 contests.
Shaw’s production took a slight step back during his sophomore campaign as he batted .290/.381/.604 with 11 doubles and 22 homeruns – then a school record for dingers. The Massachusetts native continued to swing a scorching stick as he moved into the vaunted Cape Cod League, mashing .360/.432/.574 with 10 doubles, two triples, five homeruns, and 21 stolen bases in only 36 games with the Bourne Braves. He would be named the Cad Cod Summer Player of the Year following that tremendous performance.
Shaw saved his finest performance for 2023, his final jaunt through amateur ball.
Appearing in a career best 62 contests, the offensive dynamo slugged .341/.445/.697 with career bests in doubles (20), homeruns (24), and stolen bases (18).
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only two Big 10 hitters batted at least .340/.440/.690 in a season (min. 275 PA): Nick Lorusso and Matt Shaw, both of whom accomplished the feat for Maryland in 2023, believe it or not.
Taking it one step further:
- Since 2011, only 12 hitters at the Division I level batted at least .340/.440/.690 with 20 homeruns and more walks than strikeouts (min. 275 PA): Andrew Benintendi, Jonathan India, J.J. Bleday, Kyle Lewis, Drew Ellis, Kody Hoese, Tyler Locklear, Ivan Melendez, Sonny DiChiara, Cam Fisher, Chase Davis, and – of course – Matt Shaw, Mr. Maryland.
It’d be easy to dismiss Shaw’s dominance in the Big 10 because, well, the competition isn’t as consistently strong as, say, the SEC or ACC. But the promising middle infielder alleviated a lot of those concerns with his stellar – and dominant – performance in the Cape last summer. Easy above-average power, Shaw’s never been much of a free swinger, oft-times grinding out each plate appearance after several pitches. Above-average speed. Solid hit tool. He’s profiling as a .265/.340/.440 type infielder – though he’s likely to slide over to the right side of the keystone. The bat would also play well at the hot corner too. Shaw could be one of the surprise picks that goes earlier than expected. It wouldn’t be shocking to see a team like the Athletics or Reds snag him with the sixth or seventh overall pick.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
