WATCH: Matt Chapman hits first Giants inside-the-park HR since 2017
Sep 24, 2024, 7:20 AM
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Matt Chapman is known for his slick fielding abilities and home run power, but the third baseman has some sneaky speed, too.
During Monday’s game between the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, Chapman roped a 93 mph fastball from Eduardo Rodriguez off of the left-center wall at Chase Field that was just out of the reach of D-Backs centerfielder Jake McCarthy.
As the ball rolled into an unoccupied area of centerfield, Chapman turned on the after-burners to speed around the bases and slide into home plate just ahead of the relay throw to catcher Jose Herrera for an inside-the-park home run.
It was a rare occurrence for San Francisco, as Chapman became the first Giant to hit an inside-the-parker since Denard Span did so in 2017.
CHAPPY INSIDE-THE-PARK HOMER ‼ pic.twitter.com/6X6uUnN8Kx
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) September 24, 2024
Chapman also became the first Giants player since Monte Irvin in 1953 to hit a triple and inside-the-park homer in the same game.
“It’s big out there to center, so off the bat I didn’t think I got all of it,” Chapman said of the feat. “It was an inside fastball and I just tried to get the barrel to it. Once I saw that he missed that ball, I turned it on, and I was really hoping [third base coach Matt Williams] was going to wave me, and I was digging. That was a lot of fun, and it was obviously nice to get those two runs right there and fire the boys up.”
More on Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman has been the San Francisco Giants’ best player this season, posting a team-leading 6.0 Wins Above Replacement amid a strong year on both sides of the diamond.
Over 150 games, Chapman has hit 27 home runs (leads team), driven in 78 RBI (leads team), and posted a .249 batting average while ranking among league leaders in defensive runs saved at third base.
The veteran third baseman recently spoke highly of the Giants organization, stating that he was open to extension talks.
“The Giants, I love being here, and they know that I want to be here,” Chapman said two weeks ago in an interview with The Mercury News’ Evan Webeck. “They know that I’m open to that. I’m kind of just waiting on them.”
Well, the wait is over for Chapman, who will now man the hot corner in San Francisco for years to come.
Chapman inked a six-year, $151 million extension with the Giants on September 5th that will keep the third baseman from entering free agency this season and likely in the Bay Area for the rest of his career.
What is the upcoming San Francisco Giants Schedule?
- Monday, September 23rd-Wednesday, September 25th – @ Arizona Diamondbacks
- Friday, September 27th-Sunday, September 29th – vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- End of 2024 regular season
Upcoming 2025 MLB Offseason Dates
- MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
- Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
- December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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