Matt Chapman may be getting hot too early for SF Giants (last year's stats prove it)

Whenever a key everyday player gets hot in spring training, there is that superstitious fear that lurks in the back of every fan's mind, 'He's going to be ice cold all of April, isn't he?' It's mainly just superstition, but that will not stop SF Giants fans from fretting that third baseman Matt Chapman is getting hot a little too early down in Arizona.

Thus far in Cactus League play, Chapman has 13 hits in 29 at-bats with six doubles and two home runs. He probably wants the regular season to start right now, but he is going to have to try to sustain that hot bat for another week or so.

Matt Chapman got hot for Giants last spring training as well

This is not the first time Chapman has torn the cover off the ball in spring training. Last year, he slashed .400/.471/.800 with six home runs and 14 runs batted in. Then, at the end of April after a little over a month of regular season play, he was slashing .198/.356/.377.

Maybe there is something to the superstition after all.

Obviously, what is most important is that Chapman remains healthy before the start of the regular season. He did not play in the World Baseball Classic so he has been in camp with the Giants the entire time and has been able to manage his workload properly.

Chapman was hampered by a wrist injury last season. It came at the worst time possible as he was heating up at the plate in early June but then missed a month and was clearly still dealing with the wrist issue even when he returned from the IL.

He was slashing .243/.360/.452 at the time of the injury and finished the year with a slash line of .231/.340/.430.

It's so easy to take Chapman for granted given how consistent and reliable a player he is. What he does on defense is incredible and even though he can be a streaky hitter, when he is hot at the plate and making a web gem per week he seems like one of the most valuable players in the game, not to mention the leadership he brings to the clubhouse as a respected veteran.

The Giants have to be happy that he's been at camp all spring to help new manager Tony Vitello as he adjusts to his first time as a coach in the big leagues. Everyone knew Chapman and Vitello's predecessor Bob Melvin shared a special relationship dating back to their time in Oakland, but he has seemingly been nothing but helpful and supportive with the new regime.

San Francisco needs a healthy Chapman to have any chance this season, so hopefully his bat stays hot as the team makes the trip from Arizona back to the Bay Area and there is not a repeat of what happened last season.