Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Three hitters off to hot starts in 2023

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/9/23

Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays, Third base

Entering the 2023 season with free agency looming, the two-time Platinum Glove Award winner Chapman has gotten off to his hottest start at the plate leading the majors in hits, doubles and batting average.

Also tied for the league lead with 14 RBI, the third baseman has continued to play some of the best defense the position has ever seen.

Chapman has been everything the Blue Jays could have asked for when they made the deal to acquire him from the Oakland Athletics in 2022.

With the talent-heavy offense in Toronto, Chapman figures to have many more chances to add to his numbers before cashing in on a new contract.

Thanks to his 6th inning Grand Slam, Blue Jays Matt Chapman is 2nd in MLB with a 1.374 OPS#NextLevel pic.twitter.com/CAtwh7RS2G
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 9, 2023

Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies, Second base

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Once thought to be a cornerstone prospect at shortstop, Stott saw the Phillies hand Trea Turner a massive contract to be the starting shortstop and him shifting to second base.

The move hasn't seemed to bother Stott, starting the season on a nine-game hitting streak with a .429 average and picking up his first RBI on the season in walk-off fashion on Saturday vs the Cincinnati Reds.

Look for Stott to have an even bigger impact once the Phillies' lineup picks up steam as the season goes on.

James Outman, Los Angeles Dodgers, Centerfield

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Through ten games, the 25-year-old centerfielder is hitting .296 with three home runs and tied for the major league lead with two triples. Add seven walks to that and Outman is top five in the majors with a 1.235 OPS.

Seen as a player who would need time to develop entering the season, the Dodgers have watched him exceed expectations right out of the gate. The team will be aware of the potential regression to come due to such a hot start.

Outman will look to continue his patient approach at the plate in 2023, waiting to pounce on the pitcher's first mistake in the star-studded lineup in Los Angeles.

"Babe Outman, two-run shot!"@Dodgers No. 8 prospect James Outman is drawing some lofty comparisons with his scorching start to 2023: pic.twitter.com/8P0YxE9pQ8
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 9, 2023