Inspired By Willie Mays, Tampa Bay Rays Prospect Chandler Simpson Goes Off At Rickwood Field

Tampa Bay Rays have quite a few talented pieces in their farm system. MLBbro Xavier Isaac is a power-hitting first baseman who’s expected to be called up in early 2026.

 

Speedster Chandler Simpson is a blur who reeks on the basepaths for opposing teams and pitchers.

 

Fresh off leading the minors last season with 94 steals, which was tied with fellow MLBbro, good friend and St. Louis Cardinals prospect Victor Scott II, Simpson is once again up to his old tricks.

 

 

The dynamic Simpson hasn’t missed a beat in 2024. He’s leading the minors in steals with (48), while also having drawn 21 walks and 21 strikeouts in 254 plate appearances. Known for his elite game breaking speed, Simpson is once again showing there’s much more to his game than just being fast. Simpson has been so impressive that Rays brass can’t stop talking about him.

 

Simpson Raking At The Plate

Being known for speed on s great, but Simpson has long vowed to be more than that. After batting a solid .293 in 2023, Simpson has been even better this season boasting a .368 average at the plate.

That’s good enough for tops in the minors, and he’s also tied for most hits with (84). While his power may never materialize, Simpson’s ability to get on base with timely base hits and walks is something every MLB club craves.

After beginning the season with High-A Bowling Green he was promoted to Double-A Montgomery. In 22 games with Montgomery, he’s been even better with a slash line of .374/.402/.485 along with 17 steals.

Rays senior director of player development Blake Butera recently raved about Simpson’s growth.

“He’s been great. The speed plays at any level, and he doesn’t strike out. It’s always line drives, hard ground balls. Not a ton of extra-base hits, but any time he’s on first base, he turns it into an extra-base hit, because he steals second and sometimes third as well.”

Simpson Puts On Show At Rickwood Field

Simpson’s skill set embodies everything that is Willie Mays, the legendary Hall of Famer passed on Tuesday at the age of 93. Like the late, great Mays who once called legendary Rickwood Field home as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League, Simpson also has ties to the Birmingham area having played two seasons at UAB.

The announcement of Mays’ passing turned a very happy crowd somber, but for Simpson it was all about soaking up the history of the moment. Prior to the game Simpson told reporters this ….

“I had to take a couple laps around the field just to see the atmosphere, feel the energy, just to be in the presence of all those greats that came before me,” Simpson said. “It’s a great feeling. We’d be doing a disservice to do anything but compete.”

In the game Simpson went 3-for-4 bringing his minor league-leading average to .375. He also stole three bringing that total to 51, which is 13 more than any other player in the league.