Shaw leads top Cubs prospects' hit parade for Iowa

The next crop of Wrigley Field sluggers surged in unison Sunday.

Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcántara contributed to nine of Triple-A Iowa's runs in a 17-10 loss to Louisville at Principal Park. The Top 100 prospects combined for 13 hits -- seven for extra bases -- in the first four spots of the Triple-A lineup.

"I think everyone played really well in that top of that lineup," Shaw said. "I think some days it just happens, and others it doesn't. … I think today it happened, we clicked and we did a really good job of staying focused on a Sunday."

Leading the charge, Shaw -- MLB’s No. 22 prospect -- posted his first four-hit performance at at the Minors' highest level, building on a two-knock night Saturday. The righty's second-inning homer off right-hander David Buchanan (Reds) on Sunday marked his second long ball in as many games and his third in the past four.

Saturday's homer was Shaw's 20th of the season between two levels. With 20 stolen bases already under his belt, the 22-year-old achieved the second 20/20 season by a Cubs Minor Leaguer since at least 2006. Jake Slaughter reached the mark in 2022.

"For my first Minor League season, it was something that I'm really happy about," Shaw said. "Hopefully, just keep it going, continue to get better. Stealing more bags, I think that’s something that I could have done a little better this year, but overall, very excited.

"And obviously, you see guys in the big leagues doing a really, really good job of stealing bases and hitting home runs. It's cool to watch, and you want to emulate a little bit of what they're doing."

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Chicago's 2023 first-rounder had a lot of assistance in the offensive fireworks department Sunday.

Caissie (MLB No. 33) led off the first with a hard-hit single to the right side before jogging the rest of the way on Alcántara’s 14th homer of the season, his fifth for the I-Cubs, off Buchanan. Alcántara (MLB No. 69) also collected an RBI single in the second and his fifth Triple-A double in the eighth to improve his slash line to .292/.375/.481 in 29 games with Iowa.

"They're really talented players," Shaw said. "I think we have a lot of really, really talented young guys, even James Triantos (MLB No. 56), who’s hurt, I know, right now. It's good to learn from each other, to be there and push each other. It's really exciting for all of us to be able to play together."

Joining the home run barrage in the sixth, Caissie slugged a solo shot off right-hander Ian Gibaut. The 22-year-old's 19th long ball for the I-Cubs brought him three shy of the personal best he set last season. Caissie, acquired by Chicago in the 2020 Yu Darvish trade with the Padres, fell a triple short of the cycle in his first four-hit game of 2024.

Shaw and Ballesteros roped back-to-back extra-base hits down the right-field line on consecutive pitches off Sam Benschoter in the fourth. Shaw raced for his fourth triple before cleanup hitter Ballesteros (MLB No. 41) hit a double that drove him in.

"I think overall for our future it’s huge to be able to have a lot of talent around you that continues to push you," Shaw said.

Shaw's four knocks improved his Triple-A slash line to .296/.382/.565, and he added his 29th stolen base of the season in the sixth inning. The contest was Shaw's 115th of the 2024 campaign as he continues to set a career high in his first full season.