Matthew James Chapman Bio
Matthew James Chapman is an American professional baseball third baseman for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Renowned for his exceptional defensive abilities, Chapman has established himself as one of the premier third basemen in baseball, earning five Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Glove Awards, and three Fielding Bible Awards throughout his career. He won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018 and was selected as an All-Star in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Matthew James Chapman was born on April 28, 1993, in Victorville, California. He attended El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California, where he developed his skills as a baseball player. During his senior year in 2011, Chapman posted an impressive .422 batting average, demonstrating the offensive talent that would later translate to professional baseball.
After going undrafted out of high school in the 2011 MLB draft, Chapman enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, where he played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. His junior year in 2014 proved to be a breakthrough, as he slashed .312/.412/.498 with six home runs and 48 runs batted in across 54 games, showcasing his potential as a future professional.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout college season, Chapman was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft. After signing, he began his professional career at the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics before being promoted to Class-A Beloit Snappers, where he batted .237 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 50 games.
Chapman continued to develop through the minor leagues, spending the 2015 season with the Class A-Advanced Stockton Ports, where he hit 23 home runs and drove in 57 runs in just 80 games. His 2016 campaign with the Double-A Midland RockHounds was particularly impressive, as he slashed .244/.335/.521 with 29 home runs and 83 RBIs in 117 games, earning recognition as the Texas League Player of the Year.
Matthew James Chapman Career
Oakland Athletics (2017–2021)
The Oakland Athletics promoted Chapman to the major leagues on June 15, 2017, making his MLB debut that night. He recorded his first major league hit and collected three RBIs, including the go-ahead run, against the New York Yankees on June 16. Chapman finished his rookie season batting .234 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs in 84 games.
The 2018 season marked Chapman’s emergence as an elite player, as he batted .278 with 24 home runs and 68 RBIs while showcasing outstanding defense and baserunning. He won the Gold Glove Award, Platinum Glove Award, and Fielding Bible Award that season. However, he underwent surgery on his left thumb in October and left shoulder surgery in December, both procedures impacting his preparation for the following year.
Toronto Blue Jays (2022–2023)
On March 16, 2022, the Athletics traded Chapman to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for four players including Gunnar Hoglund and Kevin Smith. He subsequently signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Blue Jays. In his Blue Jays debut season, Chapman played 155 games while continuing to demonstrate his defensive excellence at the hot corner.
During the 2023 season, Chapman hit his first career grand slam off Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels in April. He was named American League Player of the Month for April after leading all hitters in OPS, wRC+, and fWAR. Following the season, he became a free agent.
San Francisco Giants (2024–Present)
On March 3, 2024, Chapman signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the San Francisco Giants that included player options for subsequent seasons. The signing marked a new chapter for Chapman as he joined one of baseball’s storied franchises. On September 4, 2024, he further committed to the Giants by signing a six-year, $151 million contract extension through the 2031 season.
Throughout the 2025 season, Chapman navigated multiple stints on the injured list due to right-hand inflammation but continued to reach significant career milestones. On August 28, 2025, he hit his 200th career home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks in a 12-3 victory. Less than a month later, on September 26, Chapman recorded his 1,000th career hit with a line drive single to center field against the Colorado Rockies.
The 2026 season saw Chapman deliver exceptional performances, including a career-high eight RBIs in an 18-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on June 5. Just five days later, he hit two solo home runs and an RBI double as the Giants mounted a dramatic comeback from a 9-1 deficit to defeat the Washington Nationals 11-10.
Defensive Profile and Strengths
Chapman has built a reputation as an elite defender with exceptional range, arm strength, and arm accuracy at third base. His arm strength allows him to play at a deeper depth to field hard-hit balls heading down the right side of the field. He employs a two-handed gather on the forehand and a one-handed backhand technique with a basketball defensive crouch to prevent balls from sailing, making him one of the most complete defensive third basemen in the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Chapman became the first Athletic in franchise history to strike out 200 times in a season during 2021. He also led all MLB batters in pitches per plate appearance that year at 4.29, demonstrating his disciplined approach at the plate. His defensive accolades include multiple Platinum Glove and Gold Glove Awards, establishing him among the all-time great defensive third basemen.
Matthew James Chapman Career Statistics
Through June 20, 2026, Chapman has established himself as a consistent power hitter and reliable defender across his MLB career spanning multiple teams and seasons. His career statistics reflect his contributions both offensively and defensively.
Major League Highlights
Chapman’s most productive offensive seasons include his 2019 All-Star campaign when he hit 36 home runs with 91 RBIs while posting a .249/.342/.506 slash line across 156 games. His defensive achievements span multiple seasons, with five Gold Glove Awards recognizing his excellence at third base across different teams.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Chapman has accumulated numerous accolades including five Gold Glove Awards (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024), two Platinum Glove Awards, three Fielding Bible Awards, and the 2018 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was selected as an All-Star in 2019 during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .240 |
| Home Runs | 210 |
| Runs Batted In | 606 |
| Gold Glove Awards | 5 |
Matthew James Chapman Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Chapman’s connection to professional baseball extends beyond his own career. His former El Toro High School teammate is fellow MLB third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has also built an impressive career highlighted by multiple Gold Glove Awards. The two have maintained their friendship since their high school days in Lake Forest, California.
Personal Life
Chapman married his wife, Taylor, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in December 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Gia, on September 19, 2024. Chapman has publicly shared that he lives with Tourette syndrome, demonstrating his commitment to awareness and advocacy. During off-seasons, he has resided in California and has been roommates with Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of milestones and resilience for Chapman despite facing challenges with right-hand inflammation that required multiple injured list stints. He demonstrated his ability to perform at an elite level when healthy, maintaining his reputation as one of baseball’s premier defensive third basemen while continuing to contribute offensively.
Chapman reached two significant career milestones during the season, hitting his 200th career home run in August and recording his 1,000th career hit in September. These achievements highlighted his consistent production across multiple seasons with different organizations. His contract extension signed in September secured his future with the Giants through 2031, providing stability for both player and franchise.