Chandler Simpson steals 104 bases before major league debut
- Chandler Simpson, a 24-year-old outfielder, was promoted to the Tampa Bay Rays from Triple-A Durham after an impressive stint in the minors.
- He previously stole 104 bases in minor league games and was batting .301 this season prior to his promotion.
- Simpson's debut in the major leagues is highly anticipated, drawing comparisons to baseball great Ricky Henderson.
In Tampa, Florida, on April 18, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays announced the promotion of outfielder Chandler Simpson, marking a significant step in his burgeoning baseball career. At just 24 years old, Simpson has quickly made a name for himself, becoming the seventh-ranked prospect within the Rays organization, according to MLB Pipeline. Known for his exceptional speed, he stole a remarkable 104 bases in 110 minor league games last summer, which made him a standout player. His skill on the bases led to comparisons with the legendary Ricky Henderson, who is known for setting the modern stolen base record. Before his promotion, Chandler Simpson spent time at Triple-A Durham, where he showcased his talent by hitting .301 and stealing eight bases in 17 games. His journey began after being selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, transitioning from infield to outfield with ease. The Rays had originally opened the season with Simpson in Triple-A after an impressive spring training, where he practiced with the major league team. However, the decision to bring him up to the big leagues was accelerated due to the injury of outfielder Richie Palacios, who was placed on the injured list with a right knee sprain. The timing of the call-up coincided with the Rays facing the New York Yankees in a four-game series. Although Simpson did not play in the game on April 18, 2025, he arrived at the stadium after the game started, underlining both the excitement and challenges of his promotion. Observers noted that Simpson’s speed and base-stealing ability could be a game-changer for the Rays, a team that collectively had only accumulated 24 stolen bases as of that date. Looking forward, there is anticipation that Chandler Simpson will make his highly awaited debut soon, potentially in the following game of the series. His ability to swipe bases might also lead him to compete with the current MLB stolen base leader, Oneil Cruz, of the Pittsburgh Pirates. By drawing comparisons to Ricky Henderson, baseball fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this promising rookie will perform in the major leagues, particularly given his history of fast base-running and knack for stealing bases.