A closer look at the four A’s prospects in the Top 100

Matt Chapman closes out the list at No. 100.

Third baseman Matt Chapman is a name you’ve likely already heard. He closes out not just the list of A’s prospects in the Top 100 but the entire list, coming in at number 100.

He’ll be playing at the hot corner for the A’s this year and was already named to MiLB Pipeline’s all-defense team. It has been questioned has to whether or not Chapman has the strongest arm in the minors, making him perfect for third base.

Yes, it means Ryon Healy, who took over at third base in 2016 for Danny Valencia, will have to platoon at first base with Yonder Alonso but that’s alright because Healy’s natural position is at first base anyway.

Chapman was drafted 25th overall by the Athletics after his junior year at Cal State Fullerton and signed for $1.75 million. He spent the 2014 season on the disabled list with a knee injury and part of the 2015 season out with a wrist injury.

The beauty here is that despite all that time off the field, he still led the A’s farm system with 23 home runs in just 80 games, so his power is pretty undeniable. He’s able to utilize the entire field and even though he still has a bit of swing-and-miss in his game, Chapman still hit 36 homers and drove in 96 runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Obviously seen as a plus-defender, Chapman is known for his plus-plus strong arm, good hands and smooth movement third.

With Chapman at third and the combo of Healy and Alonso at first the A’s should be in pretty good hands in 2017.