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Matt Chapman: The Oakland A’s next Hall of Famer?

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 5: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics fields during the game against the San Diego Padres at RingCentral Coliseum on September 5, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Padres 8-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 5: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics fields during the game against the San Diego Padres at RingCentral Coliseum on September 5, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Padres 8-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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Is Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman a Hall of Famer in waiting? MLB.com seems to think that he might be.

Matt Chapman has had an impressive start to his career at this point. He has established himself as one of the better third basemen in the league, a defensive stalwart who has also been an impressive power source for the Oakland A’s. He did have a down season in 2020, but that can be explained by a torn hip labrum that required surgery.

Yet, with how impressive Chapman has been, it is still early in his career. Nonetheless, MLB.com has selected Chapman as the current member of the A’s most likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

To this point, Chapman has been solid for the A’s. In parts of four seasons, he has posted a solid .255/.336/.503 batting line with 84 homers and 110 doubles. At just 27 years old, he has plenty of time to improve upon those numbers and make more of an impact offensively.

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Chapman’s case to this point is based on his defense. He won the Gold Glove in 2018 and 2019, taking home the Platinum Glove both years as well. In that brief amount of time, Chapman has saved 39 runs, the sixth best mark amongst current players. It would not be a surprise to see him continue to climb that list.

This all depends on Chapman’s health. The aforementioned hip injury affected not just his offense, but his defense as well. The normally brilliant Chapman actually cost the A’s a run at third this year, while his range was below average. This is not the third baseman that the A’s were used to in any facet.

Time is still on Chapman’s side. He has just entered his hypothetical prime and should be able to continue to put together an impressive performance in the years to come. And perhaps, if he can return to form, that prognostication will turn out to be accurate.

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Matt Chapman is considered the most likely current member of the Oakland A’s to reach the Hall of Fame. If he can get back to his previous form, that may be the case.