1 week agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have assigned outfield prospect
Chandler Simpson to minor league camp. Simpson was not competing for a roster spot during camp. During spring training, Simpson held a .240/.296/.240 line with three stolen bases. However, Simpson performed at an elite level in the minor leagues last season and could still push for a late-season MLB debt. He began the 2024 season with High-A and posted an impressive .364/.431/.372 slash line with 31 stolen bases across 32 contests. Then, at Double-A, Simpson posted an elite .351/.401/.407 slash line with 13 doubles and 73 swiped bags in 78 games. While the Georgia Tech product lacks power upside, he is the most prolific base stealer in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression as he could push for an early-season Triple-A debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
2 weeks agoTampa Bay Rays outfield prospect
Chandler Simpson and shortstop prospect
Carson Williams both put their offensive skills on display in Thursday's 7-5 Spring Breakout win over the Red Sox prospects. Simpson flashed his 80-grade speed on an infield hit to shortstop that he easily beat the throw to first, then swiped his first bag of the series. Then Carson Williams provided some insurance for his squad in the eighth inning when he blasted a two-out solo home run, giving his team some breathing room as they headed into the ninth inning. Neither is expected to make the team out of Spring Training, but both could be fantasy contributors in the second half of the season.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Chandler Simpson has already begun to showcase his speed in the Grapefruit League. Through four games, the young infielder has swiped two bags and tallied four hits. Through 110 games in the minor leagues last season, Simpson swiped an incredible 104 bases. He opened the season at High-A, where he logged 32 games. He held a strong .364/.431/.372 line with 47 hits and 31 stolen bases. He was only caught stealing five times. The Georgia Tech product was then promoted to Double-A Montgomery, where he posted a .351/.401/.407 line across 78 contests. Simpson swiped 73 bags but was caught stealing 12 times. He also showed an elite eye at the plate with a 23:27 BB:K ratio. If Simpson continues this strong play in camp, he could make a strong case to open the season at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 months agoMLB Pipeline named outfielder
Chandler Simpson Tampa Bay's top-hitting prospect of the 2024 campaign. Simpson opened the season by getting his second look at High-A ball. However, he needed only 32 games to prove he was ready to move up to Double-A after posting a stellar .364/.431/.372 slash line. In his first 78 games with Double-A Montgomery, Simpson continued to showcase his elite hitting skills, as he posted a .351/.401/.407 slash line. In addition to his elite contact skills, Simpson also stole a remarkable 104 basses across 110 games last summer. However, he has yet to showcase any true power and has hit just one home run throughout his entire minor-league career. Given his strong production in his first look at the Double-A level, the No. 4-ranked prospect in Tampa Bay could spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
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