SF Giants 3B Matt Chapman's ex-teammate comes to his defense after Schmitt episode

SF Giants third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Casey Schmitt made some headlines recently for the wrong reasons as Chapman cussed at Schmitt for dropping a throw he probably should have secured in Wednesday’s loss to the San Diego Padres.

Chapman took some heat for the moment on social media from those who thought it was unbecoming of a veteran to talk to his teammate that way and many others pointed out that neither of Chapman’s throws were on the money to Schmitt. One tailed into the runner and the other one was high. 

The two teammates made up after the game and there is apparently no bad blood between the two, but one of Chapman’s former teammates felt the need to defend him on social media.

Matt Chapman's fiery comments seen as good leadership by some

Former MLB catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who was teammates with Chapman in 2018 on the Oakland A’s, made a strident defense on Chapman. Here is what he wrote on social media:

“I played with Chappy in 2018. He competed and worked as hard as any player I’ve ever been around. Even back then, as a young player, he exhibited exceptional leadership qualities and was never afraid to get in the face of someone that wasn’t playing up to their potential. He also received criticism well, another hallmark of a great leader.”

That’s high praise from a player like Lucroy who was already an established veteran by the time he played alongside Chapman. 2018 was only Chapman's second season in the big leagues at that point so it seems like he has pretty much always been the same guy.

That added context makes the moment with Schmitt on Wednesday make a lot more sense. Out of context, it could come off as sort of mean or arrogant for a veteran to talk to a younger player that way especially in a public setting rather than behind closed doors. But clearly Chapman just has a high standard both for himself and the guys he plays with and is not afraid to hold people to that standard. 

That’s part of why the Giants signed him to a six-year, $151 million contract extension at the end of the 2024 season. The Giants understood how important it would be to have a veteran leader like him to police things and hold guys in the clubhouse accountable.

That sort of presence becomes even more valuable under a rookie manager like Tony Vitello. Not that Vitello is afraid to police his players, but sometimes a message is better delivered from a guy with nearly a decade of big league experience like Chapman rather than a first-time manager.

After so many years of mediocrity for the Giants, perhaps that sort of fire from Chapman is what is needed. If this team is going to finally make it back to the playoffs holding guys accountable will be necessary and Lucroy’s defense of Chapman is a perfect reminder of that.