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Toronto Blue Jays: Matt Chapman is having a Josh Donaldson-type start

By Stephen Nixon

Apr 11, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (26) reacts after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (26) reacts after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s only been 18 games, but Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman could be turning into the second-coming of Josh Donaldson.

It’s hard to believe that in a span of seven years, the Toronto Blue Jays were able to trade for two of the best third basemen in baseball. What’s even crazier is that they acquired both of them from the Oakland Athletics.

The A’s developed both Donaldson and Chapman into All-Stars and potential MVPs, but right as they were approaching their late 20s, Oakland flipped them to the Blue Jays for prospects. I know that Billy Beane is known for his “moneyball” approach, but it feels like the organization would be in a much better place if they had kept one of Chapman or Donaldson.

When Donaldson won the AL MVP with the Blue Jays, he finished with 41 home runs, 123 RBI and a .297 BA/.371 OBP/.568 SLG. Based on an 18-game sample size, Chapman is projected to pass those Donaldson numbers from his MVP season, but obviously, those projections aren’t sustainable for 162 games.

Toronto Blue Jays: Matt Chapman looking to follow in Josh Donaldson’s footsteps

However, don’t be shocked if Chapman gets close to Donaldson’s MVP season because we’ve seen him put up huge offensive numbers in the past.

In 2022, Chapman had a solid first campaign with the Jays, finishing with 27 home runs and 76 RBI. However, Chapman’s produced even bigger seasons, most notably in 2019 when he was voted to the All-Star Game and finished sixth in MVP voting.

During that campaign, Chapman finished with 36 home runs, 91 RBI and a .249 BA/.349 OBP/.506 SLG.

Currently fifth in MLB in hits, Chapman’s batting average is way up from his previous best, which was always one of his weaker attributes. As a result, if he’s able to keep his average between .280 and .300 with a high slugging percentage by year’s end, it could be a special campaign for him.

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It’ll be a tall task to replicate Donaldson’s 2015 AL MVP season, but don’t be shocked if he’s an MVP candidate by year’s end.

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