DRB Prospect Review: #15 Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson’s 2024 minor league season was one for the history books
Over the offseason, the Draybay community takes part in an exercise in which we compile a list of 30 prospects in the Rays system based on popular vote.
Now that the 2024 season has concluded, we can look back at these rankings and see how each individual player performed.
Reminder, this is a review of the prospects ranked heading into the 2024 season. This is not an updated ranking. Draysbay will begin the voting for the 2025 community top prospects later this offseason.
We have already covered the following:
- #30. Erick Lara.
- #29. Kenny Piper
- #28. Tanner Murray
- #27. Jacob Lopez
- #26. Marcus Johnson
- #25. Cole Wilcox
- #24. Dru Baker
- #23. Trevor Martin
- #22. Joe Rock
- #21. Ian Seymour
- #20. Tre’ Morgan
- #19. Brailer Guerrero
- #18. Jose Urbina
- #17. Mason Auer
- #16. Adrian Santana
We resume the reviews at #15.
15. Chandler Simpson
Before the Season
23 | BT: L/R | 5’ 11” | 170
A | .285/.358/.333 (.691 OPS, 103 wRC+) 397 PA, 0 HR, 81 SB
A+ | .326/.429/.393 (.822 OPS, 135 wRC+) 106 PA, 0 HR, 13 SB
Yes, you read that right. 94 steals, it’s 80 grade speed. Back in 2021, he also set the record wood bat Northwoods League record with 55 bags in 51 games as a second baseman. The Rays then drafted him in the Comp-B round and moved him to the outfield, where his elite speed might offer promise in center field. His slap happy approach at the plate combined with a lack of K’s give his hitting better projection than might be expected from an otherwise zero-power profile. Since the start of the 2022 season, Simpson has the 5th lowest whiff% in the minor leagues, resulting in 54 walks to his 44 strikeouts in 2023.
How it Went
Chandler Simpson’s 2024 season may be among the best of any minor leaguers in the team’s history. The 23-year old outfielder showcased that despite not having any power, he can still be extremely effective offensive weapon serving at the top of a lineup. Simpson finished the season with the highest average (.355) in the minor leagues, the second lowest K% (8.5%), and the lowest overall whiff% (2.9%). Meanwhile, Simpson had 104 stolen bases in 121 attempts; the next closest player only had 74 stolen bases. Simpson did all of this between two levels, and actually played better when he was promoted to Double-A. The only questions that remain with Simpson is if his speed will compensate a thusfar defensive showing in the outfield.
Final 2024 Statline
A+: .364/.431/.372 | 0 HR | 31 SB | 10.9 K% | 10.2 BB% | 138 wRC+ | 147 PA
AA: .351/.401/.407 | 1 HR | 73 SB | 7.5 K% | 8.1 BB% | 141 wRC+ | 358 PA