Chandler Simpson has been making the Rays decision to send him down to the minors a few weeks ago look more questionable by the day. The fastest man in baseball has been playing at a level worthy of Rookie of The Year consideration as he takes the top spot on our Week 15 #HighFive.
1. Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson entered Thursday riding a 13-game hitting streak, which ties him for the longest by a Tampa Bay Rays rookie in their franchise’s history with current Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
The speedster made his return to the Majors 14 games ago after being sent back down to Triple A to work on his defense and get some consistent playing time despite being serviceable in his first stint as a Big Leaguer. In eight games this month, Simpson is batting .414 with a .419 On Base Percentage and three stolen bases giving him 25 on the year which rank him top 5 in all of Major League Baseball.
READ: Chandler Simpson Is Most Unique Player In Tampa Bay Rays History
Had he not been sent down nearly a month, he would be pushing close to 40 steals and would be near the top of the ladder for the American Rookie of The Year race. Simpson has a chance to take sole possession of the longest hitting streak in Rays history if he can tally one against the Red Sox in their Thursday night matchup at Fenway Park.
2. Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm takes the two spot on our Week 15 #HighFive list after earning his second career All-Star appearance and capping the week off with his second multi-homer game of the season.
The two homer game against Seattle Wednesday night was a huge lift as it helped extend New York’s winning streak to three games and gave fans some comfort knowing his move to full-time second baseman would not have an effect on his offensive output which has been some of the best in the Majors since he came off the Injured List as he is hitting over .300 with nine home runs, 24 RBI and four steals over that span.
READ: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Is a Versatile All-Star Who Brings Charisma and Energy To The Field Every Game
Chisholm slashed .308/.411/.731 this week and has raised his season OPS to .876.
3. James Wood
James Wood gets the third spot on our final #HighFive list before All-Star Weekend where I think he will officially become a household name.
His 433 ft home run Wednesday night was a preview for what we could see from the lefty in his first ever Home Run Derby where at 22-years old, he has the chance to become the youngest player in the event’s history to win.
Wood also made history this week becoming the second youngest player since 1969 to collect five hits in a single game.
READ: Pitchers Are Scared To Death Of James Wood: Four Intentional Walks?
Although he should have earned a starting spot for the National League team, Wood is one of my picks to possibly win the games MVP award with a clutch hit late.
4. George Springer
George Springer responded to his All-Star snub with a solid week, including a two-homer day on Canada Day to earn the fourth spot on our Week 15 #HighFive list.
READ: George Springer Is Finally Leading A True Toronto Blue Jays World Series Contender
He has been one of the best hitters in the Majors lately accounting for a slash line of .411/.484/.750 with six home runs, 21 RBI, eight walks and three steals over his last 15 games, a stretch that directly correlates with his Blue Jays being able to overtake the Yankees for first place in the American League East.
Toronto swept New York last weekend and Springer had himself a huge series hitting .571 with four home runs, a stolen base and 11 RBI.
5. Simeon Woods Richardson
Our final #HighFive of the first half of the season would not be complete without us showing any love to the pitching side of things.
That’s where Simeon Woods Richardson has been on top of his game over in his last five starts as he slides into the final spot.
On Tuesday he dominated one of the best offenses in the Majors, the Chicago Cubs holding them to no earned runs and just two hits through five innings to help his Twins get the victory.
READ: Minnesota Twins Skipper Rocco Baldelli On Contributions Of Simeon Woods Richardson and Royce Lewis
For Woods Richardson that marked his fifth solid start in a row. Since June 15th he has an ERA of 1.38 with 20 strikeouts in 26 innings. He has a chance to end the first half on a high note when he takes the mound in the Twin Cities against the Pirates Sunday.
