Chandler Simpson Swipes First MLB Bag On Sunday
Chandler Simpson stole his first base at the MLB level during Sunday's loss to the New York Yankees. Simpson would get on base via a forceout in the eighth inning and then proceed to swipe second base. After batting in the leadoff spot during his MLB debut on Saturday, Simpson was pushed down to the nine-hole on Sunday. However, on Sunday, the Rays were facing Yankee southpaw Max Fried. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Simpson's status as the Rays may either limit his role or keep him on the bench when facing left-handed pitchers. However, against righties, Simpson could become the top option to lead off. Last summer in the minor leagues, Simpson flashed elite speed as he swiped 104 bases across 110 contests. Fantasy managers should view the 24-year-old as a top option for speed in category formats. However, he does not carry any power upside.
Source: MLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Source: MLB.com
Jonathan Aranda, Chandler Simpson Sitting On Saturday
Jonathan Aranda and rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson will not start on Saturday in the Bronx against the New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Righty Clarke Schmidt (side) was originally scheduled to start for the Yanks, but he was scratched due to a side issue. Curtis Mead is now starting at first base and batting fifth, while Kameron Misner will start in center field and bat seventh. Jose Caballero is in right field and in the six-hole. Aranda is hitting over .300 so far in 2025 but has gone 2-for-14 with five strikeouts against left-handed pitching, so he'll take a seat. Simpson, who also bats from the left side, is hitting .318 (14-for-44) in his first 11 big-league games, but he hasn't homered while driving in three and stealing three bases. He's just 3-for-15 against lefties.
Source: MLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Source: MLB.com
Chandler Simpson Extends Hit Streak To Eight Games With Three-Hit Effort
Chandler Simpson went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Padres. The 24-year-old has been superb since his call-up from Triple-A, collecting a hit in each of his first eight games, going 12-for-30 (.400) with three stolen bases and a 3:4 BB:K, so he does not appear to be overmatched. He's made some spectacular plays on defense as well. A plethora of outfielder injuries was one reason for his call-up, but the 5-foot-11 speedster looks like he's ready to be a mainstay in Tampa. As electric as he's been, the Rays' seventh-ranked prospect is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but that number should be much higher.
Source: ESPN
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Source: ESPN
Chandler Simpson Extends Hitting Streak To Four Games
Chandler Simpson went 1-for-3 with an RBI and run during their 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday evening. Simpson would tally his hit in the eighth inning. It was a clutch RBI single that tied the game and eventually forced extra innings, where the Rays would eventually win the game. Over his first four MLB games, Simpson has tallied at least one hit in each and posted one multi-hit game. During these four games, he has already begun to show his elite speed upside as he has swiped two bags. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, the Georgia Tech product held a stellar .301/.325/.329 line with eight stolen bases across 17 games. Given his immense speed upside, Simpson is worth targeting in all category formats.
Source: MLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Source: MLB.com
Chandler Simpson Sitting Out Versus Lefty
Chandler Simpson is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The rookie outfielder will take a seat against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez on Wednesday. Since being recalled, Simpson is hitting .333 with one RBI and two stolen bases in three games. He's worth an add in deep leagues and AL-only formats due to his ridiculous speed. On Wednesday, Yandy Diaz will take over the leadoff spot while Kameron Misner is in center field and bats seventh against Rodriguez. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups and pull out Simpson before first pitch.
Source: mlb.com
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Source: mlb.com
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