Aug 3, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (26) throws out San Diego Padres right fielder Wil Myers (not pictured) during the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
It was easy to overlook Matt Chapman‘s struggles at the beginning of the season. He had undergone hip surgery in 2020, and was working his way back into shape. It was foolhardy to expect that Chapman would immediately be the same player he had been before, when he was arguably the best third baseman in the American League.