The Rays have called up arguably the biggest speedster in all of Minor League Baseball. Outfielder Chandler Simpson had his contract selected by the Rays on April 18, giving him his first look at MLB action after terrorizing opposing pitchers & catchers.
A Look at Simpson
Three years ago, Rays prospect Chandler Simpson was on the same Georgia Tech team as former first-round pick Kevin Parada and now-Red Sox infielder Kristian Campbell. However, Simpson was a very different hitter compared to the two.
Simpson ended the 2022 season with a .434 batting average and 27 stolen bases over 47 games, hitting his way up the 2022 MLB Draft board. The Rays, long enamored with toolsy players who can get on base, snatched Simpson with the 70th overall pick.
The Rays outfielder steadily moved up the ladder over the last three years. Simpson went through Low-A and High-A in 2023, then couldn’t be stopped a year later in either High-A or Double-A. He hit .364 with a .431 OBP with Bowling Green (A+). Then, with Montgomery (AA), he followed that up with a .351 average over 78 contests.
Simpson doesn’t hit for power at all. The former Georgia Tech product had one career home run in the Minors between 2022-25. But, the speed is the standout tool — by a significant margin. Simpson is a true 80-grade runner who simply could not be stopped on the basepaths.
He stole 104 cumulative bases last year and had eight over 17 games with Durham (AAA) this season.
The 24-year-old’s bat-to-ball skills are obvious. Simpson walked more than he struck out in 2023 and 2024, all while he didn’t take that many pitches at the plate. He averaged 3.47 pitches per plate appearance in 2024.
And in Triple-A, Simpson showed a penchant for hacking out of the zone. He chased at pitches out of the zone 31.9% of the time in Triple-A.
All of that amounts to one of the most intriguing players in all of Minor League Baseball. A true plus-plus runner with elite speed and one who can turn slow-hit balls into singles and singles into doubles.
Defensively, Simpson saw time in all three outfield positions plus one game at second base, which came in 2023 (Simpson was a middle infielder at Georgia Tech). But with his speed, it shouldn’t shock anyone that he saw the bulk of his time in center field.
Analysis
The Rays have gotten great production from their outfield this season. Former first-round pick Kameron Misner is currently hitting .400 with three home runs on the year and has worked himself into an everyday role. Ex-Met prospect Jake Mangum, meanwhile, has an AL-high seven stolen bases on the season.
That makes for an interesting situation with how Simpson will fit into the Rays in the short term. The Rays placed Richie Palacios, who just came off the IL with a finger fracture, on the injured list again with a knee sprain.
But for the long term, Simpson retains plenty of value thanks to his speed, useful both on the basepaths and defensively.
Lastly, can Simpson maintain what was a gaudy .357 BABIP in the Minors? That number came down to .328 in Triple-A. He’s a 20-grade power hitter who will likely need to hit his way on base.
Fantasy Impact
I’ve written several pieces over the last few months, including one in April, highlighting Simpson’s fantasy potential. He’s one of the only players in the Minors — and Majors, to be frank — right now who can truly “win” a stat in H2H & roto leagues. With his plus speed, he could be a demon.
However, his true value will ultimately be determined by how long he stays in Tampa. Manager Kevin Cash said on Friday he doesn’t know whether it’ll be a short or long stint at the MLB level for Simpson.
Nonetheless, he’s a must-grab in all mixed leagues. But for those who have budgets to worry about, spend wisely.
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