TAMPA -- With a profile featuring speed that threatens to break the traditional scouting scale, it should be no surprise that Chandler Simpson does things fast. He runs fast, of course. That’s how the Rays’ No. 7 prospect stole 214 bases in 250 Minor League games and batted .324 in the Minors despite possessing limited power at the plate. He got to the Majors in a hurry, arriving not even three years after he was selected out of Georgia Tech in the second round of the 2022 Draft. This time last season, he played in the High-A South Atlantic League. He’s taken to the outfield pretty quickly, all things considered, transforming from a college infielder into the guy who did his best Adam Jones impression on Saturday by robbing Manny Machado of a home run at Petco Park. He’s settled into the Majors immediately, batting .400 (12-for-30) while stealing three bases, driving in three runs and scoring five times. Bouncing between the leadoff spot and the bottom of the order, he’s hit safely in his first eight games, the longest career-opening streak in the Majors since the Angels’ Nolan Schanuel (10 games) in August 2023. And he’s made an instant impact on the Rays, who have gone 6-2 since Simpson’s earlier-than-expected debut on April 19. “Quite the impact,” manager Kevin Cash said after Sunday’s 4-2 win in San Diego. “We were confident with him coming up, but the way that he’s come in against some really good, elite relievers, elite starting pitching -- nothing seems to faze him, and he’s just continuing to get more confidence as he goes. He’s really impacted our offense and our defense.” |
How is the 24-year-old Simpson doing it? By being himself. A few things felt different to Simpson during his first road series last week. The past few days were admittedly a “whirlwind.” The team’s private flight was a little nicer. After debuting at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the D-backs’ Chase Field felt slightly bigger. He’ll continue to be challenged by the Majors’ elite pitchers and athletic defenders, not to mention more advanced scouting reports. He’ll get more attention, as he experienced Tuesday night when the D-backs attempted two pickoff throws and a back pick after his third-inning single … before he stole second, anyway. That’s fine with him. “I appreciate the recognition of the gift that I have and the fact that I can still cause havoc at this level and the fact that I can make it a problem for the pitchers, and they will have problems pitching to the guys behind me,” he said. But the game hasn’t changed, so why should he? “Everything's the same,” Simpson said. “Just got to go out there and just know who I am and play my game.” |
That’s what got Simpson to this level: He plays his game, one built around making contact and, of course, speed. There was so much hype built up around the latter -- deservedly so, considering he stole 104 bases last year -- that everything else, even the fact that he hit .355 last season, might have been lost in the shuffle. It’s not lost on anyone anymore. “I think everybody knew that, coming in, his speed was the element that everybody wanted to see. But I think he's showing that he has the ability to impact the game offensively and defensively,” shortstop Taylor Walls said. “He impacts the game in all three phases, so to have him is an asset right now. “I mean, that's what this team is built on. … We're a very deep team. There's guys in Triple-A that can come up and impact the big league team at any second, and I think that we've seen that this season.” Walls pointed to the Rays’ outfield as a perfect example. They’ve dealt with injuries to Josh Lowe, Jonny DeLuca and Richie Palacios but received significant contributions from Kameron Misner, Jake Mangum (also now injured) and Simpson. When the Rays called up Simpson amid that rash of injuries, president of baseball operations Erik Neander admitted they were “never really going to know” whether he was ready, based on his profile. Cash, too, said they would “see how it plays.” Simpson acknowledged a desire to “prove to everybody that my game plays,” the same as he felt at every previous stop. So far, he’s proving it. “It's a skill-set that we probably haven't seen as much over time in recent years. I think we're certainly excited to see what we learn from it,” Cash said. “His combination of speed and bat-to-ball is unique, and I think it can really help anyone.” |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
With the Country Thunder music festival coming this weekend, temporary parking changes are in effect for this week’s series against the Royals at Steinbrenner Field.
Lots 1-4 are unavailable. Fans can park in Lots 5 and 7 (just south of Raymond James Stadium, accessible via Dale Mabry Highway and Tampa Bay Boulevard) and either walk approximately 10 minutes to the pedestrian bridge or take ADA-accessible shuttles from the north end of Lot 5 to the base of the bridge. There will also be designated ADA parking available in Lots 5 and 6D and the Crown Automotive Premium Lot (subject to availability). |
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After meeting Thursday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Ha-Seong Kim told reporters on Friday that “nothing really changed” regarding his recovery. But Cash cautioned that Kim is “still a ways away,” and Neander said Friday on WDAE that it will take time before he’s ready to play shortstop every day. Neander’s comments indicated Kim may not be fully ready in May, which had been the most common projection since he signed with the Rays. “Probably want to maybe be a little bit more patient -- not meaningfully so -- than some of the timelines we’ve been kicking around to get back to shortstop and playing that full-go,” Neander said on WDAE. “But he’s doing well.” To make room for the addition of outfielder Travis Jankowski, the Rays transferred ace Shane McClanahan (left triceps nerve-related issue) to the 60-day injured list. That does not indicate a setback in his recovery. But McClanahan only recently began “light throwing,” Neander said on WDAE, and he’ll go through a Spring Training-type progression when he’s ready for more. Given that timeline, there was no harm in pushing back his earliest return date to clear a spot on the roster. |
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