At the same pace as now, it can be an all-time helper for Ryu Hyun-jin (36).
The team that stopped Tampa Bay’s opening 13-game winning streak was none other than Toronto. Toronto was not satisfied with stopping Tampa Bay’s winning streak, and on the 16th (Korean time) defeated Tampa Bay 5-2, giving Tampa Bay its first consecutive loss of the season. Tampa Bay still ranks first in the Eastern Division of the American League, but Toronto is also showing a formidable pace with 10 wins and 5 losses.
Toronto’s firepower has been strong from the start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting .390 with 2 homers and 7 RBIs, and Bo Bisset is batting .368 with 4 homers and 11 RBIs, igniting the team’s batting order. However, there is a hitter who boasts a hotter sense of hitting than them, and that is third baseman Matt Chapman.메이저사이트
Chapman currently has a batting average of .453, on-base percentage of .517, slugging percentage of .774, and OPS of 1.291 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs, showing an amazing sense of hitting. Batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS all ranked first in the American League. Three homers are also notable, but doubles have already reached eight. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is the most feared hitter in the current league.
In fact, Chapman’s best weapon is his solid defense. While he was in Oakland, he won Gold Gloves in 2018, 2019 and 2021, and last year, he had only 5 errors in 153 games. He recorded only one error in 13 games this year as well.
If Chapman continues the current pace and Ryu Hyun-jin returns within this season, the best combination may be born. Already last year, when Toronto acquired Chapman in a trade, it was predicted that Ryu Hyun-jin would be the ‘biggest beneficiary’.
After signing Chapman in a trade, Toronto general manager Ross Atkins said in an interview with the local media, “It will feel really good to see Ryu Hyun-jin standing on the wall to his right.” From the expression of Chapman as a ‘wall’, we can see how excellent a player Chapman is in defense. Therefore, expectations were raised as a player who would give wings to Ryu Hyun-jin’s good pitching. Although Ryu Hyun-jin was out of the season due to Tommy John surgery during the previous season, he is working hard with the goal of returning in July this year. If Ryu Hyun-jin’s return in July becomes a reality, he expects that he will be able to feel the ‘Chapman Effect’ in earnest from this time.
After Chapman finishes the season, he can exercise his free agent rights. A member of the ‘Super Agent’ Scott Boras squad, Chapman has a chance to mark his best season on both offense and defense this year. It is unknown how long the current tremendous pace will continue, but if he spends the best season of his life this year, his ransom is expected to skyrocket.