Meet the Rays' Speedster: Could Chandler Simpson Redefine Fast in MLB?
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:00 am
Have you heard about Chandler Simpson, the Tampa Bay Rays prospect who is turning heads this spring training? With an astonishing 80-grade speed and a minor league record of 104 stolen bases last season, he’s being hailed as potentially MLB's new fastest man. But speed alone doesn’t make a player great, right?
Simpson's impressive .355 batting average and his ability to draw more walks than strikeouts have drawn comparisons to legends like Tony Gwynn. However, he’s still a work in progress, especially in the outfield, and his power numbers leave much to be desired.
This raises some intriguing questions: Can speed and contact hitting alone make a player a star in today’s game? With the increasing emphasis on power hitting, will teams be willing to invest in a player like Simpson who lacks home run potential?
Let’s also consider the impact of a player like Simpson on the game itself. Could he be the catalyst for a resurgence of the speed game in baseball? Or will he struggle to find his place in a league that often prioritizes power over speed?
What are your thoughts on Chandler Simpson? Do you think he has what it takes to make a significant impact in the majors? And how do you feel about the current trend of valuing power hitters over speedsters? Let’s discuss!
Simpson's impressive .355 batting average and his ability to draw more walks than strikeouts have drawn comparisons to legends like Tony Gwynn. However, he’s still a work in progress, especially in the outfield, and his power numbers leave much to be desired.
This raises some intriguing questions: Can speed and contact hitting alone make a player a star in today’s game? With the increasing emphasis on power hitting, will teams be willing to invest in a player like Simpson who lacks home run potential?
Let’s also consider the impact of a player like Simpson on the game itself. Could he be the catalyst for a resurgence of the speed game in baseball? Or will he struggle to find his place in a league that often prioritizes power over speed?
What are your thoughts on Chandler Simpson? Do you think he has what it takes to make a significant impact in the majors? And how do you feel about the current trend of valuing power hitters over speedsters? Let’s discuss!