Elvis Andrus has a new partner on the right side of the infield in Matt Chapman, and the A's newest shortstop already is in awe of Oakland's third baseman.
"He's unbelievable, man," Andrus said Sunday on MLB Network Radio. "I keep throwing this quote I used to say about Adrian [Beltre] -- seeing him take ground balls is like poetry in motion, man. They're so good, they're so talented.
"He's fearless. He's out there playing, just having fun. He looks like a little kid. And when you have that combination with how talented he is, there's no doubt we know the results are going to be there as long as he can stay healthy."
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SIGN UP HERE Luckily for Chapman, Andrus and the rest of the A's, Chapman is healthy again after having season-ending hip surgery last season. He was limited to just 37 games in 2020 and hit a career-low .232 at the plate. He also lost his AL Gold Glove after taking home the title the previous two seasons.
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Chapman has his eyes on what's rightfully his, and Andrus clearly believes the 27-year-old can again prove he's the best defensive third baseman in the AL, and perhaps all of baseball.
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"It is pretty cool," Andrus said. "He brings me a lot of memories of Adrian. Probably when [Adrian] was a lot younger. He can move a lot better.
"That kid is a beast. He works hard every single day and he just wants to get better."
Beltre won five Gold Gloves in his 21-year career, three as Andrus' teammate on the Texas Rangers. Chapman is well on his way to winning at least that many, and his newest shortstop clearly can't wait to share the infield with him in Oakland.