Chandler Simpson’s impressive speed has already earned him legendary status. Now he can show off those wheels at the major league level.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Rays are bringing Simpson to the big leagues. According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, manager Kevin Cash stated that Chandler will have “a little bit of a runway” with the Rays as he adjusts to life in the majors.
Chandler, the Rays’ third-best prospect and the 72nd-best prospect in baseball according to FanGraphs, is known for his lightning-fast speed. Simpson, rated an 80 on a 20-to-80 scale, is a terror on the bases with impressive bat-to-ball abilities.
He infamously beat out a routine grounder to first for an infield single earlier this month with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, demonstrating that he can be a long-term weapon in the Rays’ lineup.
There are flaws in Simpson’s game. He has no power to speak of, as his only professional home run was inside the park. Simpson is still learning the outfield, but his speed compensates for his inexperience and routes in center.
Despite these concerns, Simpson’s contributions are undeniable. He has led the minor leagues in stolen bases for the past two years, with an impressive 104 steals in 110 games between High-A and Double-A in 2024.
Simpson hit the ground running in his first season of Triple-A in 2025. He had a.301/.325/.329 batting line in 78 plate appearances, stealing eight bases and scoring 13 runs while striking out only seven. If Simpson can replicate his success with the Rays, he has the potential to make an immediate impact.
