Matt Chapman is a name that baseball fans are becoming increasingly familiar with. As a third baseman for the Oakland Athletics, Chapman has established himself as one of the best players in the game.
With his exceptional skills on both sides of the ball, he has become a fan favorite and a key player for his team. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how good Matt Chapman really is.
We will examine his skills as a defender and an offensive player, compare him to other top players in the league, and discuss his potential for the future. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of why Matt Chapman is considered one of the brightest stars in baseball today.
Defensive Prowess
Matt Chapman is widely regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen in the league. He possesses a unique combination of skills that make him an exceptional player at his position. One of his standout skills is his range.
Chapman has an incredible ability to cover a lot of ground on the field, which allows him to make plays that other third basemen may not be able to. He has excellent footwork and instincts that enable him to position himself well and make difficult plays look easy.
In addition to his range, Chapman has a strong throwing arm that is both accurate and powerful. This arm strength allows him to make throws from deep in the hole or from his knees with ease.
It also allows him to make quick transfers from fielding to throwing, which is essential for getting speedy runners out at first base.
Chapman’s ability to make difficult plays is also a key component of his defensive prowess. He has a knack for making highlight-reel plays, such as diving stops, leaping catches, and barehanded pickups.
His quick reflexes and agility allow him to adjust to tricky hops and make plays that other defenders may not be able to make.
All of these skills have helped Chapman win three Gold Glove Awards in his career so far. The Gold Glove Award is given annually to the best defensive players at each position in both the American and National Leagues.
Winning three of these awards is a testament to Chapman’s exceptional defensive abilities and places him among the best in the game.
Overall, Chapman’s range, arm strength, and ability to make difficult plays make him a defensive force to be reckoned with. His three Gold Glove Awards are a testament to his skill and serve as proof that he is one of the best third basemen in the league.
Offensive Contributions
While Matt Chapman is known for his defensive abilities, he is also a valuable contributor on the offensive side of the ball.
One of the ways to measure a player’s overall offensive production is by looking at their OPS+, which is a player’s on-base plus slugging percentage adjusted for the ballpark and league averages.
Chapman has a career OPS+ of 120, which means that he is 20% better than the league-average hitter in terms of producing runs.
Chapman’s ability to hit for power is one of his strongest offensive skills. He has hit 97 home runs in his career so far, including 36 in 2019, which was tied for fourth-most in the American League.
He has a career slugging percentage of .484, which means that he is a threat to hit the ball out of the park at any time.
In addition to his power, Chapman is also a skilled hitter in terms of getting on base. He has a career on-base percentage of .332, which means that he gets on base more than one-third of the time he comes to the plate. He has also shown an ability to draw walks, with 214 in his career so far.
When compared to other players in the league, Chapman’s offensive production is impressive. His career OPS+ of 120 places him among the top third basemen in the league, and his power numbers are among the best in his position as well.
He has also shown consistency at the plate, with a career batting average of .245, which is respectable for a power hitter.
Overall, Chapman’s offensive contributions, particularly his power and ability to get on base, make him a valuable player for his team. His career OPS+ of 120 and impressive home run numbers demonstrate that he is a skilled hitter and a threat at the plate.
Comparisons to Other Players
When comparing Matt Chapman to other third basemen in the league, it is clear that he is among the best. Let’s take a look at how Chapman stacks up against some of the other top third basemen in the game:
Nolan Arenado: Nolan Arenado is widely regarded as one of the best third basemen in the league. He has won eight Gold Glove Awards and has been an All-Star five times.
In terms of offensive production, he has a career OPS+ of 126, which is slightly higher than Chapman’s career OPS+ of 120. However, Chapman is still a strong offensive player in his own right and has hit more home runs than Arenado in fewer plate appearances.
Anthony Rendon: Anthony Rendon is another top third baseman in the league. He has been an All-Star twice and has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice as well. In terms of offensive production, Rendon has a career OPS+ of 132, which is higher than both Arenado and Chapman.
However, Chapman has a better defensive profile than Rendon, which helps make up for the difference in offensive production.
Jose Ramirez: Jose Ramirez has emerged as one of the best third basemen in the league over the past few years. He has finished in the top three in MVP voting twice and has been an All-Star three times.
Ramirez is a strong offensive player with a career OPS+ of 122, which is similar to Chapman’s career OPS+. However, Chapman has a much stronger defensive profile than Ramirez, which gives him an advantage overall.
Overall, when compared to other top third basemen in the league, Chapman stacks up very well. While he may not have the same level of offensive production as some of the other top players at his position, his exceptional defensive skills make him a valuable player for his team.
When considering his all-around skills and contributions to his team, Chapman is certainly among the best third basemen in the game today.
Awards and Recognition
Matt Chapman’s MVP votes are a testament to his standing as one of the top third basemen in the league. He has received votes for the award twice, finishing seventh in 2018 and sixth in 2019.
While he did not win the award either year, the fact that he received votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) is a sign that he is highly regarded in the league.
In addition to his MVP votes, Chapman has also received other awards and recognition in his career so far. He has won three Gold Glove Awards, which is a prestigious honor given to the top defensive players at each position.
Winning the award even once is a significant achievement, so the fact that Chapman has won it three times already is a testament to his elite defensive skills.
Chapman has also been an All-Star twice in his career, in 2019 and 2021. The All-Star Game is an exhibition game that features the best players from each league, so being selected to participate is a significant honor.
Furthermore, Chapman has been recognized for his defensive skills in other ways as well. In 2019, he won the Platinum Glove Award, which is given to the best defensive player in each league regardless of position.
This award is voted on by fans, which shows that Chapman has a strong reputation among baseball fans as well as among his peers.
Overall, the awards and recognition that Chapman has received in his career so far are a clear indication of his standing as one of the top third basemen in the league.
His three Gold Glove Awards, All-Star selections, and MVP votes demonstrate that he is a valuable player for his team, and his defensive skills in particular are among the best in the game today.
Future Outlook
Matt Chapman’s future outlook is very bright. Despite already being one of the top third basemen in the league, there is reason to believe that he can continue to improve and become an even greater player.
One area in which Chapman could continue to develop is his offensive game. While he is already a solid offensive contributor, he has the potential to become an even more consistent and productive hitter.
He has shown flashes of this potential throughout his career, including a strong start to the 2021 season in which he hit .286 with six home runs in his first 24 games.
If he can sustain this level of production over a full season, he could establish himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the game.
Another area in which Chapman could continue to improve is his consistency on defense. While he is already an elite defender, there are still occasional lapses in his play that lead to errors or missed opportunities.
If he can eliminate these mistakes and become even more reliable on defense, he could become a truly transcendent player at his position.
Overall, fans and analysts can expect great things from Chapman in the future. He is already one of the top third basemen in the league, and there is reason to believe that he will only get better with time.
Whether he is contributing with his bat or his glove, he is a player who makes a significant impact on his team’s success. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, he could become one of the most dominant players in all of baseball.
Matt Chapman’s Defensive Stats to Other Notable Third Basemen in the League
| Player | Fielding Percentage | Defensive Runs Saved (Career) | Ultimate Zone Rating (Career) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Chapman | .965 | 64 | 49.1 |
| Nolan Arenado | .974 | 141 | 93.6 |
| Anthony Rendon | .971 | 27 | 11.4 |
| Justin Turner | .967 | 6 | -6.8 |
This table highlights some of the top defensive third basemen in the league and their career statistics in terms of fielding percentage, defensive runs saved, and ultimate zone rating.
While Nolan Arenado has saved the most runs and has the highest UZR, Matt Chapman is still a standout player with a fielding percentage of .965 and 64 defensive runs saved in his career so far.
Anthony Rendon and Justin Turner are also solid defenders, but their stats are not as strong as those of Chapman and Arenado.
FAQs
What teams has Matt Chapman played for?
Matt Chapman has only played for one team in his MLB career so far, the Oakland Athletics. He made his debut with the team in 2017 and has been a fixture in their lineup ever since.
How was Matt Chapman’s college career?
Matt Chapman played college baseball at California State University, Fullerton, where he was a standout player. In his junior year, he hit .312 with six home runs and 48 RBIs, earning First-Team All-Big West honors. He was also a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2013.
What is Matt Chapman’s contract status?
Matt Chapman is currently under contract with the Oakland Athletics through the 2023 season. He signed a one-year, $6.49 million contract with the team in January 2021 to avoid arbitration.
Has Matt Chapman won any other awards besides Gold Gloves?
In addition to his three Gold Gloves and Platinum Glove, Matt Chapman has also been named an All-Star twice in his career. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 2019 and 2021.
What are some interesting facts about Matt Chapman?
Matt Chapman’s father, Jim Chapman, played college baseball at Cal State Fullerton and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984.
Chapman was a star quarterback in high school and was recruited by several colleges to play football, including the University of Oregon and Boise State University.
Chapman is known for his love of dogs and often posts pictures of his own dog, a German Shepherd named Buster, on social media.
Conclusion
Matt Chapman is a phenomenal talent who has established himself as one of the top third basemen in the league.
His elite defensive skills, demonstrated by his three Gold Glove Awards and Platinum Glove Award, set him apart from many other players in the game today. Additionally, his career 120 OPS+ shows that he is also a valuable contributor at the plate.
Chapman’s future outlook is very promising, with potential to continue to improve and become an even greater player. Whether he is contributing with his bat or his glove, he is a player who makes a significant impact on his team’s success.
Fans and analysts alike can expect great things from him in the coming years, and he is sure to be a player to watch as he continues to develop and refine his skills.
Overall, Matt Chapman is a player who embodies the best of what baseball has to offer, and he is sure to continue making his mark on the game for years to come.
