With San Francisco short on runs, giants can't afford another down year from matt chapman in 2027
A difficult season at the plate
Chapman batted .235/.324/.368 across 84 games in 2026. He homered about once every 50 plate appearances, roughly half as often as in 2025, when he hit .231/.340/.430 in 128 games.
His batting average rose four points, but his slugging percentage fell 62 points. His strikeout rate remained near 23% in both seasons, while his hard-hit rate dropped from 47.6% to 35.8%, according to Baseball Savant. His barrel rate also declined, from 9.9% to 6.6%; both figures were career lows.
Injury disrupted his year
Chapman played through an abdominal strain suffered in April before going on the injured list July 1. He eventually underwent core muscle surgery in August, ending his season.
Defense and lineup role
When MLB.com reported on Chapman’s surgery, the five-time Gold Glove winner led major league third basemen with 16 Defensive Runs Saved. That defense gives San Francisco reason to play him regularly once he is healthy.
Power could shape 2027 lineup
A hard-hit rate closer to his 2025 level would offer an early indication that his power is returning. Reaching the 20-home-run range again would give San Francisco a veteran run producer as Eldridge pursues an everyday role.
Key points
- Chapman hit seven home runs in 2026, down from 21 in 2025 and 27 in his first Giants season.
- An abdominal strain and core muscle surgery limited Chapman to 84 games.
- His hard-hit rate fell to 35.8%, a career low, according to Baseball Savant.
- A return to the 20-home-run range could strengthen San Francisco’s lineup.