MESA, Ariz. — Three days of early work at first base was all Matt Shaw needed before his position debut in spring game action for the Chicago Cubs.

Shaw, armed with catcher Carson Kelly’s first base mitt, got the start in Wednesday’s 9-8 walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals and was tested by the nuances of the position. He cleanly handled the first ball hit to him in the top of the second, taking it himself to the base to record the last out of the inning. Shaw was challenged by a hopper in the fourth inning in which he couldn’t glove the ball on a short hop, resulting in an error.

One of the biggest adjustments will be getting comfortable playing next to second baseman Nico Hoerner and understanding his range.

“Knowing where he’s playing, knowing kind of how far I can range, or should range — there’s two balls today that I kind of ranged a step and then got back to first so we were laughing about it because of two tweeners,” Shaw said. “So two balls already, like, tough balls but they were pretty routine for both of us. That was good.”

Wednesday represented the first time Shaw played first base at any level.

“There’s small nuances that I’m learning, but overall I feel like I covered all the basics pretty well, small things that I’m learning,” Shaw said. “Obviously, it’s Day 1 ever at first, but overall I feel really, really good.”

Shaw’s 5-foot-10 stature doesn’t make the Cubs hesitant to get him work at first base. They believe his athleticism will allow Shaw to handle the position, particularly since any playing time there would be limited with Michael Busch getting the everyday starts.

“Overall, I feel pretty comfortable there, getting to the bag stuff like that,” Shaw said. “I have a little more time, I think it’s going to be the big thing. The angles are just kind of the opposite of third, but kind of the same in that sense. As far as ball off the bat, I feel good.”

Shaw has started a game at six different positions this spring: six in right field, two at second and third base, and one at first and center field. Manager Craig Counsell has been impressed by how Shaw has handled all the defensive challenges the Cubs have given him this spring.

“We’re giving him a difficult spring training experience here,” Counsell told reporters. “We’re moving him around a lot. You’re going to see him at first base. I respect what he’s doing this spring, it hasn’t been easy for sure. But I’d rather make it hard right now and then go into the season with at least some experience at all these things.

“Matt’s athleticism is what shows up first. That makes you confident that the more he’s out there, it’s just going to keep getting better. I think that’s the takeaway from the coaching staff. His athleticism is going to allow him to get better at this.”

Being able to play multiple positions around the field represents Shaw’s clearest path to regular playing time without an injury at third base or the middle infield. After getting 437 plate appearances in his rookie season, Shaw feels a lot more confident heading into this year knowing his athleticism will get him opportunities.

“Honestly, it’s been a lot of fun, it kind of feels a little bit like Little League and playing a bunch of different positions and moving around, so I’ve really enjoyed it,” Shaw said. “Outfield, it’s a lot of fun running around, catching fly balls. First is great, picking balls and kind of more action being involved in all the plays. Second base, played a lot growing up so that kind of feels a little bit like home, really.”

Shaw joked that he actually hasn’t played much third base this spring after making 114 starts there last season. But ultimately, Shaw knows how his versatility is an asset.

“I want to get as many at-bats as I possibly can and that means playing a lot of different positions, so it kind of just is what it is,” Shaw said. “If I can continue to get better at those positions and be in a good place to, number one, get a lot of at-bats, and number two, give guys days off if they need it to keep our team healthy.

“Obviously, like I said, the nuances take time (at first), but it’s really been enjoyable to move around, almost mentally freeing in a way like a kid again, moving around, playing different positions.”