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Matt Chapman got here in at no. 3 when our 2015 Oakland Athletics High Prospects record was revealed in February of that yr. Assigned a forty five FV by our then lead prospect analyst Kiley McDaniel, Chapman had been drafted twenty fifth general out of Cal State-Fullerton the earlier summer season. Enjoying most of his preliminary skilled season within the Low-A Midwest League, the 21-year-old third baseman swatted 5 dwelling runs and put up a modest .672 OPS over 202 plate appearances.
What did Chapman’s 2015 scouting report seem like? Furthermore, what does he consider all of it these years later? Wanting to seek out out, I shared a few of what McDaniel (now with ESPN) wrote and requested Chapman to answer it.
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“A standout hitter and pitcher for Fullerton that didn’t have a lot first-round buzz for causes I didn’t perceive.”
“He was pondering like I do,” Chapman replied. “I assumed I used to be somewhat underrated. Clearly, the A’s took an opportunity on me and all of it labored out. However that’s humorous, as a result of I assumed I had all of the instruments. I simply wasn’t getting the love.”
“Chapman, has an 80 arm and has been into the excessive 90s on the mound, however is usually an arm-strength man with a brief monitor report of pitching.”
“They wished me to be a pitcher, it looks like,” Chapman recalled. “I had arm, however I by no means actually pitched. I solely pitched two innings in school, however I believe scouts thought I might be a pitcher, that possibly I profiled higher that manner. Some groups within the draft referred to as to see if I might go as a pitcher. I wished to play third base, although. I used to be by no means going to pitch. I don’t assume my arm would have held, to be sincere. I most likely would have ended up having (Tommy John surgical procedure).”
“Tasks to be above common defensively at third.”
“Protection was my robust go well with, for certain,” stated Chapman, who has received 5 Gold Gloves in his eight huge league seasons. “I believe I used to be already huge league able to play protection — not hit, however able to play protection. (As for “projected”) whoever wrote that possibly didn’t consider in me. I believe I received the Gold Glove in school that yr, so I used to be prepared.”
“He placed on a present in BP for Crew USA, flashing uncooked energy that was second solely to Kyle Schwarber on the staff.”
“That sounds fairly correct,” Chapman stated. “Schwarber has ridiculous energy. And we performed a number of Residence Run Derby on that USA staff. All we tried to do throughout BP that summer season was see who may hit the ball the farthest. Plenty of guys on that staff had energy.”
“The query on Chapman, like (Matt) Olsonis how a lot contact he’ll make.”
“Truthful evaluation,” Chapman agreed. “I didn’t strike out very a lot in school, however as soon as it’s professional baseball, you begin making an attempt to hit extra homers and there may be some extra swing and miss. I imply, hanging out is a part of the sport. It’s a part of my recreation somewhat bit, for certain. It’s one thing that I’m at all times making an attempt to enhance. So, I don’t assume that was very far off.”
“Fullerton emphasised an reverse subject/floor ball kind offensive method just like Stanford however not as delicate, which explains why Chapman by no means dominated on the plate as an newbie.”
“I agree with that,” Chapman stated. “We had been informed to hit the ball on the bottom the opposite manner. I might bunt in school. I’d be hitting third and would bunt with runners on first and second with none out. You simply do what your coaches need you to do, and be teammate.
“I don’t assume that I reached my full potential offensively till I obtained to skilled baseball, as a result of then I obtained to alter my method. They wished me to faucet into my energy somewhat bit extra. I had the liberty to attempt to drive the ball as an alternative of simply getting base hits. I imply, that labored in school. It doesn’t work in school anymore, however once I performed it was lots about pitching and protection and small ball. We received a number of video games doing that, though it didn’t take us all the best way. If you wish to go all the best way, you’ve obtained to hit.”
“Oakland sees 55 recreation energy and a 50 bat on the low finish, with comparisons like Matt Williams, Travis Fryman and Josh Donaldson for his upside.”
“I don’t know who the center man is, however I believe Donaldson is an efficient comp,” stated Chapman, who was in preschool throughout Fryman’s prime. “And it’s undoubtedly an honor to be in comparison with Matt Williams. What a heck of a participant. The truth that he’s been my coach now for a few years… I imply, it’s fairly cool. I want I’d have gotten to see him play extra. I used to be fairly younger when he was taking part in within the huge leagues.
“So yeah, I believe it was fairly correct to be in comparison with them. Matt Williams, good hitter, good defender. Josh Donaldson, good defender, good hitter. I think about myself an above-average main league hitter. I’ve had some good seasons and a few good numbers. I’d say my worst season might be a median offensive season, and my greatest seasons have undoubtedly been above common. I’d say that was a fairly truthful evaluation.”
