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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via 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) /

24. Matt Chapman

The Oakland Athletics just have a knack of developing superstar third basemen who play highlight-reel defense, and Matt Chapman is their latest. The 26-year-old had a solid rookie season in 2017 but exploded on the scene last year to contend for the AL MVP award and take home the Gold Glove at the hot corner. Chapman is off to an even better start in 2019, carrying over the leap to he made to an elite hitter in the second half last season.

Chapman hit .309/.371/.591 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 64 games after the All-Star break last year to put his name in the MVP conversation and drive the A’s back to the playoffs. So far this year, he is hitting .296/.388/.602 with eight home runs and 18 RBI in 29 games. The A’s might be off to a slow start as they look to make two straight trips to the playoffs, but their star player cannot take any of the blame for that.

In addition to MVP-level production at the plate, Chapman has emerged as one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball. He was worth 3.5 dWAR at the hot corner last year, which itself is enough to warrant fringe All-Star consideration. Chapman continues to live up to the high standard he set for himself last year, and has made only two errors in the first month of the season.

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