The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly calling up outfielder Chandler Simpson to the big leagues.
The 24-year old has received national attention for his game-changing speed, or at times breaking the game altogether. There are videos that have gone viral in baseball spheres of Simpson beating out ground balls to first base, arriving there routinely under 4 seconds.
Speed is just one part of Simpson’s game though as he is also one of the best in baseball at making contact. His speed and contact ability are perhaps the best pair of tools of any prospect in baseball. In 2024, Simpson hit .355/.410/.397 with 1 HR over 505 PA, and stole 104 bases in 121 attempts. He led minor league baseball in batting average, becoming the first player to ever win a MiLB and D-I batting title.
Defense was the biggest question mark for Simpson as he only transitioned to the outfielder upon being drafted in 2022. He has spent the past few years learning how to be an outfielder with reports saying that he has improved immensely; this spring training proved that he is capable of making sensational plays daily.
Thus far this season, Simpson has played in 24 games and was hitting .301/.325/.29 with one extra base hit over 78 plate appearances, and stole 8 bases; he also has struck out just seven times (9.0%) with a 3.4 whiff rate.
Unfortunately, Simpson is taking Richie Palaios’ spot on the active roster. Palacios just returned to the Rays last night after opening the year on the Injured List with a fractured finger. The Rays are now placing Palacios back on the Injured List, this time with a knee issue.
