Rays' Chandler Simpson: Not starting against lefty
Rotowire
Simpson isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson has logged a base hit in all three games he's played in the majors so far while also tacking on two stolen bases. He'll get a chance to catch his breath Wednesday, opening a spot in left field for Christopher Morel to start and bat fourth against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Swipes second bag
Rotowire
Simpson went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.
The 24-year-old is getting his first look in the majors due to multiple injuries in the Rays' outfield, and Simpson has gone 4-for-12 with a double, an RBI a run and two steals in his first three games. He's hitting leadoff against right-handers, and his plus-plus speed makes him an enticing fantasy target, so long as he can get on base often enough to use it. Jonny DeLuca (shoulder) has yet to begin a rehab assignment and Josh Lowe (oblique) is expected to be sidelined into May, so Simpson has a window to establish himself before the Tampa Bay outfield begins to get crowded.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Sparks rally in debut
Rotowire
Simpson went 1-for-5 with an RBI double and a run scored in Saturday's 10-8 extra-inning win over the Yankees.
Simpson drove in a run with a ground-rule double off Devin Williams, igniting a four-run rally in the ninth to force extra innings. He batted leadoff and should get a fair shot at regular playing time moving forward. While the 24-year-old had just one extra-base hit through 78 plate appearances at Triple-A Durham this season, he swiped eight bases and boasts true 80-grade speed.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Getting call to big leagues
Rotowire
The Rays will call up Simpson from Triple-A Durham, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
The most prolific base stealer in the minors, Simpson swiped 104 bags between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery last season and has already stolen eight bases this year with Durham. Simpson has no power and it's fair to question how much he'll ultimately hit, but his difference-making ability on the basepaths makes him a must-add in rotisserie leagues. Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Simpson is "going to get an opportunity here and a little bit of a runway."
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
The Rays selected Simpson's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday.
While Simpson is now officially on the Rays' active roster, he is still traveling and will not arrive in time for the start of Friday's game against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Thus, he is not in the lineup but could conceivably appear off the bench. Manager Kevin Cash indicated earlier Friday that Simpson will play regularly while with the big club.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Not considered for promotion
Rotowire
The Rays did not consider promoting Simpson from Triple-A Durham to take the roster spot of the injured Jonny DeLuca (shoulder), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays are down both DeLuca and Josh Lowe (oblique) for at least the next couple weeks, but Simpson evidently wasn't under real consideration when Coco Montes was recalled to take DeLuca's spot Tuesday. Simpson has a chance to be a fantasy difference maker when he does arrive due to his prolific base-stealing ability, but he will have to wait a bit longer. The 24-year-old is hitting .297/.325/.351 with five stolen bases in his first eight games with Triple-A Durham this season.
The Rays reassigned Simpson to minor-league camp Wednesday.
The most prolific base stealer in the minors in 2024 with 104 thefts in 121 attempts over 110 games between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery, Simpson made waves early in Grapefruit League play by going 4-for-6 with a pair of steals and runs through his first three games. He's faded badly since then, however, going 2-for-19 over his subsequent eight contests to effectively end his longshot odds of breaking camp with the Rays. Simpson's elite wheels will make him worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues, but his subpar defense and dearth of power could make it difficult for him to emerge as an everyday player in the majors.
Rays' Chandler Simpson: Grabbing attention in spring
Rotowire
Simpson made two strong defensive plays in center field in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson has elite speed and recorded 104 total stolen bases between High-A and Double-A in 2024. Despite that, Simpson's defensive ability has surprisingly been questionable, though he made two diving plays in center field during Saturday's game. He also has three hits in his first four at-bats while also swiping a bag.
Simpson is hitting .353 with a .405 on-base percentage, one home run, 71 steals and a 7.5 percent strikeout rate in 75 games for Double-A Montgomery.
The 23-year-old speedster opened the year at High-A Bowling Green and put up similar numbers (.364 AVG, zero homers, 31 steals) in 32 games. Simpson's traditional fantasy stats are alluring at first glance, but he has some very real flaws that could prevent him from playing regularly in the majors. His 13.3 percent hard-hit rate is one of the worst rates in the minors, and Simpson hits 56.6 percent of balls on the ground and 44.8 percent of balls to the opposite field. He has one homer in 230 career games and is more along the lines of Mallex Smith or Esteury Ruiz on defense, where he's a subpar defensive outfielder despite elite foot speed.
