Matthew James Chapman Bio
Matthew James Chapman is an American professional baseball third baseman for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Renowned for his defense, Chapman has won five Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Glove Awards, and three Fielding Bible Awards. He also won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018 and was an All-Star in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Matthew James Chapman was born on April 28, 1993, in Victorville, California. He attended El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California, where he excelled in baseball. In his senior year of 2011, he achieved a remarkable .422 batting average, showcasing his potential as a future professional player. After high school, Chapman enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, where he played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. During his junior year in 2014, he recorded a batting average of .312, with six home runs and 48 runs batted in (RBIs) over 54 games.
Path to Baseball
Undrafted out of high school in the 2011 MLB draft, Chapman took the collegiate route to refine his skills. In 2014, he was selected in the first round of the MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics. After signing, he made his professional debut in the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics. He quickly progressed through the minor leagues, earning accolades such as the Texas League Player of the Year in 2016. His performance in the minor leagues set the stage for his eventual call-up to the major leagues.
Matthew James Chapman Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Matthew Chapman made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics on June 15, 2017. He quickly made an impact, collecting his first major league hit and three RBIs against the New York Yankees the following day. In his rookie season, he batted .234 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs over 84 games. Chapman continued to develop his skills, earning his first Gold Glove Award in 2018, alongside a Platinum Glove Award, recognizing him as one of the best defensive players in the league. In 2019, he had a breakout season, hitting 36 home runs and achieving a .249 batting average.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In March 2022, Chapman was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he signed a two-year contract worth $25 million. He continued to showcase his offensive and defensive prowess, hitting his first career grand slam in April 2023. His performance during this period earned him the AL Player of the Month award for April 2023, as he led all hitters in OPS and wRC+. After the 2023 season, Chapman became a free agent, marking the next chapter in his career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Matthew Chapman has established himself as a premier third baseman, known for his elite defensive skills and power hitting. He has received multiple awards, including five Gold Glove Awards and an All-Star selection in 2019. His ability to make significant contributions on both offense and defense has made him a valuable asset to his teams.
Matthew James Chapman Award Nominations
Matthew Chapman has received several nominations throughout his career, particularly for his defensive skills. His consistent performance has placed him among the top players in Major League Baseball.
Matthew James Chapman Awards Won
Matthew Chapman has won numerous awards, including five Gold Glove Awards and a Platinum Glove Award, recognizing his exceptional defensive abilities on the field. He was also named an All-Star in 2019, highlighting his status as one of the top players in the league.
Matthew James Chapman Family
Matthew Chapman is married to Taylor Chapman. The couple welcomed their daughter, Gia, on September 19, 2024. They were married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in December 2021.
Personal Life
In addition to his baseball career, Matthew Chapman has been open about living with Tourette syndrome. He maintains a close relationship with his former high school teammate, Nolan Arenado, who is also a professional baseball player. During the off-season, Chapman shares living arrangements with Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs in California.