The SF Giants lost 7-1 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday and third baseman Matt Chapman was clearly not pleased with his first baseman Casey Schmitt who had two defensive blunders in the game.
Schmitt was assessed an error for missing a throw from Chapman in the first inning of the game which allowed a run to score. Chapman's throw tailed a bit into Fernando Tatis Jr. as he came down the line but Schmitt still should have had it.
Then, late in the game Chapman made a throw to Schmitt which he should have had easily even though it was slightly high. Schmitt extended himself to try to catch the ball but the ball clipped the top of his glove and got away from him, leading to yet another run.
The Giants' second error of the game results in the Padres' second run of the game. Matt Chapman gets charged with the error, but I imagine Casey Schmitt will say he should've caught this since it hit his glove. pic.twitter.com/W93kkN7b76
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) April 1, 2026
SF Giants 3B Matt Chapman clearly upset with Casey Schmitt's defense
Chapman was assessed an error, but Schmitt definitely should have had that one. Chapman certainly thought Schmitt should have caught it as a mound visit was called right after that play and Chapman had a very clear message for Schmitt on the mound that many lip-reading social media users deduced quite quickly.
Any lip readers out there? pic.twitter.com/zVLuO3iBUH
— KNBR (@KNBR) April 1, 2026
Chapman pretty clearly says: "Catch the [expletive] ball to Schmitt." Well, many fans would have to agree with Chapman.
The two players apparently did work things out after the game so there is no bad blood or hurt feelings it seems.
Regarding the “catch the f— ball” clip, Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt talked it over.
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) April 1, 2026
Chapman: “We’re brothers here. Heat of the moment. I’ve already talked to Casey. It’s all good.”
Schmitt: “We’re trying to win games. I’m not mad about it or anything like that.”
To try to cut Schmitt a little slack, he was reaching out to try to catch the ball and in so doing he somewhat limited how high he could reach his glove, thinking it would be a close play at first. He is also playing out of position as first base is not his usual spot but both of those plays likely get made by a normal first baseman.
More than one social media user pointed out the fact that the Giants have a 6-foot-7 first baseman named Bryce Eldridge down in Triple-A who would have most likely caught that ball with ease, but the Giants kept him off the Opening Day roster to begin the year and have chosen to roll with Schmitt as the starting first baseman for now.
Rafael Devers has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has limited him to designated hitter duties so far this season. Jerar Encarnacion can play first base and while he is taller, Schmitt is thought of as a superior defender at least on ground balls to first base. Luis Arraez can play first base but it seems the Giants want to give him a lot of opportunities at second base since he signed with San Francisco in large part due to the team's willingness to play him at second.
Maybe it was just one bad game, but if Schmitt continues to struggle making plays that should be fairly routine then the Giants are going to have to try someone else at first base.
