Fansided

10 MLB stars who need to step up and carry their team to the playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 25: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics fields during the game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 11-3. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 25: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics fields during the game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 25, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 11-3. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

4. Matt Chapman

Thanks to his stellar defensive play and borderline elite offensive production, Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman has emerged as one of the analytical community’s favorite players. The 26-year-old spearheaded the A’s surprise run to the playoffs last year by hitting .309/.371/.591 in the second half with 14 home runs and 39 RBI to emerge as an MVP candidate. Chapman’s explosion last season had many pegging him to make the leap from underrated, small-market star to bona fide superstar.

Chapman did make his first All-Star team this season and continues to rack up WAR. He does have 5.0 WAR and will garner accolades for his play at the hot corner, but the offensive leap has not materialized. Chapman is hitting .253/.338/.506 on the year with 25 home runs and 65 RBI. In this offensively-charged environment, his efforts are good for an OPS+ of 123, down from last year’s mark of 137.

The A’s are currently running a close third for the American League’s final playoff spot and will need another big stretch run from Chapman if they are to make up ground. He has hit just .207/.282/.402 with four home runs and 13 RBI in the second half. That type of production from their best player just isn’t going to cut it for the A’s. They need Chapman to play like an All-Star to keep up in the packed AL race.

That the A’s are 17-10 so far in the second half while Chapman struggles has to be viewed as a huge positive for the team and its fanbase. Oakland is right there. All they need to punch their ticket for another trip to the playoffs is for their MVP candidate to step up once more.

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