Chandler Simpson Stats & More: Tampa Bay Rays Recall Speedster From MiLB
The Tampa Bay Rays have promoted prospect outfielder Chandler Simpson from Triple-A Durham, the Tampa Bay Times learned, after putting outfielder Richie Palacios on the 10-day injured list for a knee issue.
Simpson, one of baseball's top contact hitters with blazing speed, will be a much-needed breath of fresh air for fantasy baseball owners as well as provide an exciting outfield mix.
Chandler Simpson, Rays: MLB Prospect Status
No. 7 Rays prospect Chandler Simpson, per MLB Pipeline, is wowing in the minors with 80-grade speed.
Drafted 70th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, the 24-year-old centerfielder led all minors with 104 steals between High-A and Double-A in 2024.
The Chandler Simpson stats saw him continue his scorching pace with Triple-A Durham in 2025, batting .301 with eight steals on nine attempts through 17 games, with a 95.5% in-zone contact.
Legging out grounders—down even as far as first base—has drawn comparisons to Tony Gwynn for his contact ability from the barrel, though his power is non-existent with one minor league home run on his resume.
Statcast numbers validate his off-the-charts sprint speed, as Simpson sports four of the quickest home-to-first times in Triple-A, averaging 3.85 seconds over the distance. Having assigned him over other prospects indicates the Rays are banking he'll provide an instant impact.
Tampa Bay Rays Current Roster
The Rays had need for Simpson's promotion spurred by the knee injury that landed Reid Palacios on the 10-day IL.
Palacios, an .275 hitter with 12 season steals, is a loss for the outfield, already thinned by injuries to Jonny DeLuca (shoulder) and Josh Lowe (oblique).
Simpson is entering an active roster capped by other outfield prospects Kameron Misner and Jake Mangum, who have had time here this season. Misner, a power/speed prospect, and Mangum, a contact-hitting left fielder, offer depth, but Simpson is a one-of-a-kind snowflake, his speed with no peers.
In the Rays' interim 2025 home, Steinbrenner Field, Simpson will patrol the outfield, batting leadoff or ninth to get on for him so he can have as many steals as possible.
Chandler Simpson Stats & Fantasy Baseball Projections
Simpson is a must-own across all fantasy baseball, particularly in roto leagues where stolen bases are scarce. Owned by only 5% of leagues, he’s a priority waiver pick-up.
The Chandler Simpson stats regarding his Double-A numbers—.351/.401/.407 with 73 steals in 78 games—and current Triple-A lines (.301, 8 SB in 17 games) project out to a 40-50 steal season over a six months worth of regular season playing time.
Something noticeable pertaining to Chandler Simpson stats is his lack of power, which caps his home run and RBI upside. Though, his superlative contact and speed will still return a quality batting average and runs scored befitting a skilled run-manufacturing Rays lineup.
With Misner and Mangum doing the bag carrying for them, there is potentially a concern with respect to playing time with Tampa Bay’s love of using platoons, but Simpson’s stolen base skills make it worth it even for part time work.
Get on board before he’s a fantasy darling.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.