Chapman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI during Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Offense was at a premium for both sides Saturday, but Chapman came through as the run producer for the A's. The 27-year-old has a .230/.277/.443 slash line with three homers, eight runs and six RBI through 61 plate appearances.

Chapman went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run in a win over the Rangers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

While Chapman's line isn't exactly going to send fantasy managers' pulses racing, it's at least another sign the slugging third baseman is slowly clawing his way out of the offensive doldrums he entered August with. Chapman's season slash sat at .188/.235/.375 following an 0-for-5 effort against the Mariners in the first game of the month Saturday, but he's subsequently hit safely in four of five contests with a home run, Thursday's pair of walks and four runs. Nevertheless, Chapman still has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to making consistent contact, as he's whiffed seven times during that stretch and carries a career-high 34.5 percent strikeout rate through his first 55 plate appearances.

Chapman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman lifted his second homer of the year against Rangers starter Lance Lynn in the seventh inning. The third baseman then got aboard with a single and scored on Stephen Piscotty's walk-off grand slam in the ninth. Chapman has posted four RBI and five runs scored with a .222/.255/.422 triple-slash line in 11 games this year, but it appears he's heating up with hits in three straight contests.

Chapman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run to account for the Athletics' only run in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman's 391-foot shot to left field off German Marquez in the first inning continued an encouraging offensive trend for the third baseman, who'd started the year in a 1-for-12 slump over the first three games. Subsequent to that brief skid, Chapman has hit safely in three straight, and the good wood he's been putting on the ball has now led to two extra-base hits during that span.

Chapman went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one strikeout in Monday's 3-0 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

This was a much-needed breakout day at the plate for the slick-fielding third baseman. He was 1-for-12 through the first three games but is now batting .250 with a .732 OPS.

Chapman, who entered Sunday's action 1-for-9 over his first two games, is also showing some signs of frustration with his future financial outlook, Shayna Rubin of the Marin Independent Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman is under team control through 2023, was originally on the books for a modest $623,500 this season (now prorated to $230,926) as per Spotrac and isn't slated for unrestricted free agency until he's 30. That's a frustrating overall outlook for a player that, this year's slow start (1-for-9) over a very modest two-game sample notwithstanding, has arguably outpaced his current compensation with 60 home runs, 159 RBI and a pair of Gold Gloves over his first two full seasons as an everyday player. However, the Athletics, already notorious for a conservative financial approach when it comes to doling out big paydays, could become even more prudent in that regard in light of the significant revenue losses in 2020. Chapman notably stated "it's every player's goal to get to free agency and be able to choose where you go" during a recent appearance on ESPN's Opening Night broadcast of the Dodgers-Giants game, lending credence to the notion he's already playing with his financial future weighing fairly heavily on his mind.

Chapman could reach the next level of his development as a hitter by more consistently laying off high or outside pitches, Owen Pointdexter of Forbes reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pointdexter breaks down what the already impressive third baseman could do to further improve, and better pitch selection is one area he identifies as likely critical to Chapman becoming an even more consistent hitter. It's noted Chapman's teammate Mark Canha focused on not swinging at offerings outside the zone last season and posted a breakout year, and that a similar approach by the 26-year-old could lead to both more power and a higher on-base percentage. Pointdexter rightly points out that Chapman has traditionally done only modest damage on high or outside pitches in his career, thereby suggesting that laying off more often doesn't carry much of a risk in terms of missed opportunity.

Chapman was hitting .238 (5-for-21) with three extra-base hits (one double, two home runs), six RBI, six walks and seven runs across 10 Cactus League contests before spring training was suspended.

EDGE Analysis

The slugging third baseman's batting average over the small sample may not be aesthetically pleasing, but Chapman was on base plenty when also factoring in his walks and clearly put good wood on the ball more often than not when hitting safely. Chapman heads into 2020 with massive expectations after generating career highs in home runs (36), RBI (91), walks (73) and runs (102) across 156 games.

Chapman worked on his hitting mechanics throughout the offseason in an effort to improve his performance against elevated fastballs and offspeed pitches, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

At first glance, Chapman's career-high 36 home runs and 91 RBI imply there weren't many flaws with his work in the batter's box. However, the 26-year-old also slumped to a .194 average over his final 58 games of the campaign, which left him with a pedestrian .249 average for the season. Chapman is already an elite defender who's earned Gold and Platinum Gloves for his work at third base, but he enters spring training with a goal of hitting .300 and reaching the 40-homer mark for the first time in his career.

Chapman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Seattle, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Athletics clinched home-field advantage for Wednesday's AL Wild Card Game on Saturday, so it's no surprise to see him receive the day off in the finale. Sheldon Neuse will cover third base in his place Sunday.