Future completely bright
Rookie adjusts as a hitter while standing out as a 3rd baseman
SEATTLE — When the A’s ask something of Matt Chapman, they get it and a whole lot more.
The rookie came up just 10 weeks ago and he’s making an impact on both offense and defense with 10 homers, an increasingly improved approach at the plate, and some of the most sensational fielding around.
“His defensive metrics are as good as we could have possibly imagined,” A’s general manager David Forst said. “Every step of the way in the minor leagues, everyone who played with him thought he was going to be this good — but until you see it, you’re not sure. He has changed things at third base his first couple of months in the big leagues. He is right up there with the best defensive players in the major leagues.”
Chapman’s numbers are so
eye-popping, he’s already put himself at the top of most of the major defensive metrics, trailing only Rockies All-Star Nolan Arenado, Chapman’s former high-school teammate.
Chapman leads all American League third basemen in dWAR (2.0), a measure of overall defensive contribution, and also in runs saved (18) — in just 55 games.
This raises the question: Could a player who came up June 15 win a Gold Glove?
“We have numbers that are off the charts for his defense. In 2½ months — it’s a Gold Glove type year. It’s had that kind of impact,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “Given a full year, he’s going to be in that conversation next year. I’d have to think of all the third baseman in the league, but I don’t see a better one. It’s unbelievable.”
The one concern about Chapman, 24, at the big-league level was his strikeout rate, and as the K’s mounted in July, the A’s asked him to be a little more selective. That’s a tall order for a player who hadn’t even had a full season at Triple-A before coming up.
“It’s difficult, no doubt, but Matt’s done a phenomenal job of being willing to listen to different ideas,” Oakland hitting coach Darren Bush said. “He’s open to trying things and looking at things in a new way.”
The key for Chapman, Bush said, is keeping his hands in position and staying back so that he’s ready on time.
“Really, it’s making sure he’s approaching the zone the right way so he can see the ball better,” Bush said. “He works on it every day in the cage. He works on his position, how he approaches the baseball and then he takes it into BP.
“You’re still going to miss. It’s baseball. You’re going to strike out. But with hands as good as his, you’ll see: He’ll touch the baseball and you’ll see it go. It’ll take off.”
Chapman’s strikeouts were slightly down in August, going from 32 percent of his plate appearances to 30 percent. More important: His walks increased from six to 11, and his average has gone from .132 in 38 at-bats in the first half to .261 in the second half.
“That’s not the easiest adjustment, but I’m working hard to control the strike zone,” Chapman said. “I’ve gotten a lot better at it. You have to find that fine line between trying to be too perfect and not missing your pitch. … I think that’s a work in progress for me every day and I am getting better. The majority of my strikeouts, I’m swinging at pitches in the zone. As long as I’m taking the right approach, I’ll be OK.”
And Chapman wants to do more than just cut down on the K’s. He wants to refine his whole approach.
“I think I do have a pretty good idea of the strike zone. It’s taking it a step further. Now that I am recognizing pitches, fine — really zone up, really look for that good pitch until there are two strikes,” he said. “The more I watch advanced hitters, that’s what they all do. That’s what you have to do at this level, and you can’t really learn your zone until you get here. I’m kind of building that base up.
“I have to keep it in perspective that I’m young and don’t have that many at-bats. If I can keep building and building through the end of this year and the rest of my career, I’m just going to keep getting better.”