A’s Chapman added to Derby — Dad, too

SEATTLE — Matt Chapman’s first AllStar experience just got even better. The A’s third baseman was named as a Home Run Derby replacement for Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich on Sunday, and Chapman’s father, Jim, will be his pitcher.

“I’m excited,” said Chapman, who leads Oakland with 21 homers. “I knew I was on a list of people they could call if someone dropped out. It will be a fun time; it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing.

“Speaking of a dream come true, that’s like my dad’s dream right there. When I

was a little kid, we’d watch the Home Run Derby and I don’t think we thought in a million years I’d be in a Home Run Derby, but at the time, my dad was like, ‘If you ever got to do that, I would want to throw to you.’ ”

Jim Chapman plays softball once a week, so his arm is in shape; he’s a shortstop. The last time his dad threw to him batting practice? “High school,” Matt Chapman said, “but I trust him.”

Jim Chapman said by phone from Cleveland, “I’m excited and nervous at the same time. It’s so last minute, it’s kind of crazy. I’m getting fitted for a uniform today. Matt and I have always talked about this, and the moment is finally here.”

Chapman’s parents were walking around Cleveland on Sunday when they spotted some signage with the AllStars’ photos, including their son, and they asked a passerby to take their picture with it. “They were like, ‘Do you know him?’ And we said, ‘He’s our son!’ ” Jim Chapman said. “We’re pinching ourselves.”

Asked if he has a strategy for his dad, Matt Chapman suggested that Jim just throw rapidfire.

“He told me, ‘Dad, just warm up throwing down the middle right now, that’s all you have to worry about,’ ” Jim Chapman said.

Chapman — who also was named the American League’s Platinum Glove winner last year — hasn’t had a chance to take extra batting practice, but, he said, “Maybe it’s better that way. Don’t overthink it . ... Hopefully, I can get my dad to throw me some BP (Monday). I wish I’d tried to hit a few more homers in BP now, but I’ll be good.”

The A’s last Home Run Derby participants were Yoenis Céspedes and Josh Donaldson in 2014, when Céspedes successfully defended his 2013 crown. Oakland manager Bob Melvin doesn’t usually watch the Derby unless A’s players are involved, but he’s looking forward to Monday’s contest.

“The fact his dad gets to participate with him will make me watch,” Melvin said. “And there’s a good chance I would not have otherwise. Now I get to watch and get nervous all at the same time . ... I’ll probably sweat and be nervous and pace, like I do during games. But yeah, it’s really cool. Everyone’s excited about it.”

Oakland designated hitter Khris Davis has led the majors in homers over the past 3½ seasons, with 149, but he has yet to participate, telling officials the past two years he preferred not to be asked.

“I am surprised,” Chapman said of Davis’ absence from the Derby over the years, “but I think he wants to do it when he’s in the game. And I’m sure when that time comes, which is soon, he’s going to be a force.”

The A’s also have another formidable power hitter on the roster who is likely to get a Home Run Derby berth sometime sooner than later: First baseman Matt Olson’s 19 homers in the past 51 games, including Sunday’s threerun shot in the first inning, are the most in the majors during that span.

Chapman was not in the starting lineup Sunday, a longplanned day off for him well before the AllStar announcement; Melvin had tried to get him to take a day off June 22 at Tampa Bay, but Chapman talked him out of it and homered and drove in the gamewinning run that game.

“I was going to give him a day at some point and this is the last day before the break,” Melvin said. “So ... it comes today.”