The San Francisco Giants are just one game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West standings. The team’s pitching has been great this season, ranking second in the sport with a 3.14 team ERA. However, the team needs more from their offense. Third baseman Matt Chapman has been carrying the load this season, but was recently placed on the injured list, and a new report reveals he may be out for a while.
Buster Olney Predicts Matt Chapman Could Miss the Rest of June
ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney reported that Chapman is likely out indefinitely as he deals with sprained ligaments in his right hand. This is a devastating blow for the Giants as they try to keep up with the Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the National League West standings.
The Giants’ pitching staff has carried them this season, as starters Logan Webb and Robbie Ray are likely headed to the All-Star Game, and former All-Star closer Camilo Doval has regained his form. Chapman has clearly been the team’s best hitter and is a potential All-Star candidate as well, as he’s currently having one of the best offensive seasons of his career.
Chapman has been the one consistent bright spot in the lineup this season, hitting 12 home runs, driving in 30, and carrying an .812 OPS. His 94 miles per hour exit velocity off the bat is a career high, and he also has a career high 14.7% walk rate. He’s doing a better job of laying pitches right above the top of the strike zone.
Matt Chapman mashes a GRAND SLAM for the lead 😤 pic.twitter.com/OfOCHkhP8F
— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2025
His current 52% hard hit rate is the second highest of his career. Chapman also ranks in the 90th percentile of all MLB hitters with an average bat speed of 75 miles per hour. The five-time Gold Glove third baseman is also providing his signature great defense this year at the hot corner, as he’s currently plus six according to the defensive runs saved metric and three outs above average. He’s already accumulated three wins above replacement this season.
Matt Chapman backhand
Big emphasis on seeing it all the way into the pocket#PicknPivot pic.twitter.com/RdHilsk7Jy
— PicknPivot (@PicknPivot) June 2, 2025
With Chapman out of the lineup, more pressure falls on shortstop Willy Adames to turn his season around. The Giants signed him to a seven-year, $182 million contract last off-season after he hit 32 home runs and drove in 112 in his final season with the Milwaukee Brewers.
However, Adames is only hitting .204 in his first season in San Francisco, falling short of expectations. Adames is currently hitting .190 against breaking balls this season after hitting .265 against them last season. His whiff rate on off-speed pitches is 55% this year. Adames isn’t providing great defense either to make up for his lack of production at the plate, as his defensive runs saved rating is minus seven.
Please get hot Willy Adames!!!!
109 off the bat. GREAT TO SEE pic.twitter.com/cCe64BKa7I
— Giant Hot Takes Podcast (@GiantHotTakes) June 11, 2025
The Giants may not be able to wait until the trade deadline to look for offense if Chapman misses an extended period of time and Adames continues to struggle.