Chandler Simpson was an anomaly in the outfield last season, but he’s turning things around.
Last year, he joined a rare list of five players who recorded a sprint speed in the 95th percentile or better, while simultaneously ranked in the 20th percentile or worse in the position. Speed almost always correlates with productive outfield numbers. Despite his speed, Simpson wasn’t a great outfielder according to the numbers. Usually, fast outfielders are often strong defenders like Byron Buxton. According to the statistics from last season, Simpson wasn’t a strong defender in the outfield.
Chandler Simpson Worked With Kevin Kiermaier
After last season, Simpson worked with four-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier to improve his defense.
“Not that with other people I’m not listening, but with [Kiermaier], my ears are that much more open,” Simpson said. “Somebody that’s really just finished playing, so he’s done it in today’s game. So definitely been a lot of learning and just taking in everything, for sure, every word that comes out of his mouth.”
During the offseason, Simpson worked on his first steps, otherwise known as his jump. A jump is measured by how many feet an outfielder travels in the right direction during the first three seconds compared to the MLB average.
The difference between a good and great outfielder is how they read the ball off the bat and the routes they take to catch the ball. Simpson’s offseason work with Kiermaier yielded noticeable results.
In 2025, he averaged 0.3 feet per jump, and this year he is averaging 3.8 feet per jump. The drastic change is noticeable and gives Simpson the key to being a good outfielder. Simpson has improved in areas in which he was a negative last season, like defensive runs saved above average.
The numbers showed that Simpson’s jumps were not poor but average. He regularly made easy catches hard just by getting late jumps and taking bad routes to the baseball. His speed should already make him an elite defender, but his lack of readiness cost him.
“Not being lackadaisical, expecting the ball, being attentive, just making sure I’m moving on every pitch, expecting every ball to be hit to me,” Simpson said. “When that’s in place, then everything with the routes and jumps and everything will follow.”
Other Outfield Instructors Have Also Helped Simpson
Simpson has also worked with other outfield instructors who have helped him defensively throughout his career. He gives credit to former Triple-A Durham Bulls outfield coordinator Jared Sandberg and Rays outfield instructor Corey Dickerson.
Simpson’s defensive improvement has made him less of a liability in the field and made him more playable. In his short time with the Rays last season, Simpson used his experience to improve himself.
It’s also noteworthy that Simpson changed positions this year. Last season, he played more centerfield, and this season, he has only played leftfield. The change might be more suited to his skill set and fit him better. Rays manager Kevin Cash has done a great job working with Simpson and knows how special he is as a player.
The first step he’s maxed out speed which is pretty impressive,” Cash said.
