2014 MLB Draft prospects rankings: Nos. 45-41

45. Matt Chapman, Cal. State – Fullerton, 3B, 6′ 2″, 215 lbs.

Last summer, Baseball America dubbed Chapman its #10 prospect on the Collegiate National Team. That opened a few more eyes.

Chapman is an interesting study. There aren’t as many questions about his defense (his arm is among the best in this draft, if not the best) as there are his bat. He projects more as a third baseman even though he can play shortstop. Offensively, his numbers from this season aren’t bad (.318/.417/.511, 6 HR, 44 RBI), there are worries the bat may not transfer well to the pro level. Not as much pop as some would like from the third base position.

Not a high lift of the front leg and his hands are fairly close to his right ear. There’s a bit of lift in his swing, so there is the potential to produce power. It’s a matter of finding it.

And you could see that Chapman does possess a nice set of wheels.

But Chapman could make the transition to being a full-time pitcher. While he has received very little work as a pitcher, it is something some organizations may consider especially if Chapman shows he is unable to hit pro pitching.

Again, the workload as a pitcher is extremely limited, but it is reported he has touched 98 before. He did make a couple of relief appearances with the Collegiate National team, hurling two innings of shutout ball. He also whiffed three opposing batters.

In talking about Chapman, kind of sounds a little like another recent Fullerton draft pick: Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen had far more work as a reliever than Chapman has experienced. He could be a project as a pitcher provided the organization that drafts him is rather deep. If that route is chosen, he would be a project due to the limited work.