Fansided

Best MLB player on each team in 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 10: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics throws out Hanser Alberto #57 (not pictured) of the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 10, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 10: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics throws out Hanser Alberto #57 (not pictured) of the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 10, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Oakland Athletics: Matt Chapman

The modern marvels of social media and the Internet have made sure baseball fans all over the world are able to appreciate the defensive highlights of Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman. No longer is Oakland’s best player destined to also hold the title of best player you’ve never heard of. Small market or not, Chapman is a bona fide star and one of the most exciting defenders in the league.

Chapman fully announced himself to baseball fans as a star last season, hitting .278/.356/.508 with 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 games. He won his first Gold Glove and finished seventh in the MVP vote with a strong 8.2 bWAR. Chapman’s defense was simply phenomenal at the hot corner.

Now in his second full season, Chapman will look to build on the offensive breakout he put together in the second half last year. As the A’s made an improbable run to the playoffs, Chapman hit .309/.371/.591 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 64 games. The 25-year-old will look to follow in the footsteps of former Athletics star Josh Donaldson.

There is a treasure trove of Chapman’s defensive highlights all over the web, and if tuning into Oakland games regularly isn’t your cup of tea, do yourself a massive favor and get acquainted with one of the true impact defenders in baseball.

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