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.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
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.
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