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Matt Chapman walks back to the dugout against the Diamondbacks during a game on June 04, 2024.
The San Francisco Giants announced their lineup ahead of tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Noticeably, starting third baseman Matt Chapman got benched to make room for top prospect Bryce Eldridge.
This comes a day after Giants fans and reporters questioned why Eldridge was not in the lineup in back-to-back games. The 20-year-old will bat 7th and get the start at first base. This moves Rafael Devers to the designated hitter. Utility infielder Casey Schmitt will get the start at third base.
Matt Chapman’s Recent Offensive Struggles
Chapman signed a 6-year, $151 million contract extension with the San Francisco Giants in 2025. The five-time Gold Glove winner got off to a solid start to his season and held a batting average as high as .315 on Apr. 10. But Chapman has struggled offensively in his last 10 games. The third baseman has only had 3 hits in his last 39 at-bats. As a result, he has seen his season’s batting average plummet to .229. It will be interesting to see whether the day off helps get Chapman back on track with the bat.
Chapman still provides a lot of value to the Giants, especially with his glove. But after hitting 21 home runs last season, he has only hit 1 so far this year.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 09: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on May 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The home run was Eldridge first major league career home run. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Do the Giants Have Too Many Infielders?
The Giants’ infield on most nights has Rafael Devers at first base, Luis Arraez at second base, Willy Adames at shortstop and Matt Chapman at third base. Utility infielder Casey Schmitt has primarily been used as a designated hitter. But he can play all four infield positions.
In addition, the Giants called up their No. 1 prospect, Bryce Eldridge, last week with the plan of giving him at-bats every day. But the 20-year-old has only played first base in the minor league system.
So the Giants have six infielders with only four infield positions plus a designated hitter spot. This has led to multiple lineup changes and leaves an odd man out. San Francisco has played 8 games, including tonight, since Eldridge’s promotion. The top prospect has played in 5 of a potential 8 games.
Kyle Har is a sports reporter focused on the MLB and NFL, covering the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com. He has four years of experience as a sports radio producer at KNBR in San Francisco and works as a co-host for their Warriors postgame show, “Dubs OT,” and weekly Warriors talk show “Just Dubs.” More about Kyle Har