One of the fastest players in baseball is heading for the major leagues.
The Rays promoted Triple A Durham outfielder Chandler Simpson on Friday ahead of a 1-0 loss to the Yankees.
Simpson received a call-up after utility player Richie Palacios was on the list injured with a sprain in his right knee.
The 24-year-old stole a 104 base over Tampa Bay’s High A and Double A affiliate last season.
He also led all minor leagues with an average of .355 batting.
Simpson was drafted by Rays in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft and then rose to the team No. 7th place prospect in the MLB pipeline.
During his tenure in the minor leagues, Simpson stole 224 bases in 250 games, achieving an 86.5% success rate.
Individuals around major league baseball are paying attention to Simpson’s unique style of play. Because his speed and bat-to-ball skills are similar to previous generation players.
Former MLB outfielder Marquis Grissom created the nickname Simpson “Little Tony Gwyn” by saying that Georgia native’s playstyle resembles the Hall of Fame.
“I’ll buy a ticket to see him play,” Rays Outfield and Base Running Coordinator Jared Sandberg told Athletic. “He might already be running on the scoreboard and in the dugout so he never missed the first four pitches.”
Before being called into the Big League, Simpson was batting .301 on eight stolen bases in 17 games against Durham.
He really looked after hitting the ball directly into the first baseman at the beginning of April.
“In theory, I think he’ll add elements to every lineup with how fast he is and his contact ability,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday afternoon. All MLB.com.
“I think he’ll have the opportunity here. A little runway.
