Cubs infielder Matt Shaw \-\- the club’s top prospect and No. 19 overall by MLB Pipeline -- will travel with the team to Japan ahead of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers on March 18-19, manager Craig Counsell announced on Tuesday.

Shaw is expected to make his major-league debut in the Tokyo Series. The Cubs will have to clear a 40-man-roster spot to activate him, but they don’t have to make any moves until just before Opening Day in Japan.

"I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for my entire life," the 23-year-old Shaw said of making Chicago's travel roster.