In 12 starts-seven in Triple-A and five in Double-A-Eshelman has posted a 2.11 ERA with only 10 walks and 59 strikeouts in 81 innings. Injuries to Clay Buchholz and Vince Velasquez have helped, but the 22-year-old’s quick rise has mostly been a result of his performance. Just two months into the season, though, he’s making a strong case to be next in line. Heading into the season, Eshelman couldn’t have been higher than 10th on the Phillies’ starting rotation depth chart. Tom Eshelman, SP, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley) At this rate, Chapman should be up prior to the All-Star break. Ryon Healy was called up in mid-July of last season. So far in June, the right-handed slugger has hit five out of the park and has a 1.014 OPS. He finished May with 11 homers and a 1.031 OPS. He had just three singles in his first 23 at-bats after returning, but he finally caught fire in early May and hasn’t slowed down since. After going 0-for-7 with six strikeouts, he injured his wrist and missed the next two weeks. The 25th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Chapman had a rough start to the season. Therefore, moving up the 24-year-old Chapman’s MLB debut seems more likely by the day. 640 OPS and is in a 7-for-53 slump with 20 strikeouts over that span.
Instead, the A’s aren’t anywhere close to a playoff spot and Plouffe’s trade value might be as low as it’s ever been-he has a.
In an ideal scenario for a non-competitive A’s team, Trevor Plouffe would already be generating interest on the trade market with Chapman ready to take over at the hot corner sometime in August or even September. Matt Chapman, 3B, Oakland Athletics (Triple-A Nashville) “Knocking Down the Door” is a weekly feature that identifies minor leaguers who are making a case for a big league promotion.