100 stolen base speed demon Chandler Simpson has game-changing speed

TOKYO -- During USA Baseball's bronze medal run at the WBSC Premier12, there was one name permanently etched at the top of manager Mike Scioscia's lineup: Chandler Simpson. The No. 18 prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization isn't just fast: Simpson has the kind of speed that makes you wonder if the rest of us look like we're trapped in molasses compared to him.

He showed off that speed in the bronze medal match, hitting a hustle double, beating out an infield single for a crucial RBI and drawing a walk in America's 6-1 win against Venezuela.

"Chandler's been opening up a lot of eyes in his progression in pro ball," Scioscia said. "He's absolutely going to get an opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. He stole over 100 bases this year in the Minor Leagues. But more than that, he has a special skill set. He puts the ball in play, has tremendous speed and is a is a very, very good defensive outfielder. So, when you put all those skills together, what he can create on the bases, it's just a unique talent. He had a tremendous tournament for us."

Jokingly tagged with "90 grade speed" on the 20-80 scale by MLB Pipeline, Simpson swiped 104 bags last season. That wasn't just the most by any player across any level of affiliated ball, it was 30 steals more than the player with the second-most, Orioles prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Hitting the century mark was an achievement Simpson was aiming for entering the year.

"It's a goal I set out after I got the 94 in 2023, so all offseason I was preaching and hooping and hollering about it," Simpson told MLB.com. "I'm glad and blessed that I was able to get it."

He didn't slow down at the Premier12, either, leading the tourney with nine thefts. (Second-place: Rays and USA Baseball teammate Carson Williams swiped four.) What makes this performance even more remarkable is that there was no pitch clock or pickoff rule with runners on base, meaning that pitchers could do whatever it took to keep Simpson close to the bag.

It didn't work.

"The rule [changes] do help a lot, but coming here, I wanted to show that even without the rules, I can play my game and I can play it to the fullest ability. I feel like I've done that so far," Simpson said.

He credits his work with the Rays coaching staff which allowed him to reach the 100 steal mark with stops in High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery.

"It's a natural god-given ability," Simpson said. "But they also helped me be smart on the basepaths, pick up different tips, different times, knowing just what situations I can go and make a smart move."

While stolen bases are up across the Major Leagues, Simpson has a skillset rarely seen in the modern game. His game is predicated not on power, but on putting the ball in play and letting those wheels take over. The approach worked perfectly this past season, when he hit .355 despite just one home run and 14 doubles to his name.

A product of the same Atlanta baseball hotbed which has also produced Simpson's USA teammate Termarr Johnson as well as big league stars like Michael Harris II, Simpson's goal this offseason is to expand on his skillset, adding a little more oomph to his swing.

"Just getting stronger like every year," Chandler said about his offseason goals. "I feel like that's a part of my game I'm always going to have to improve, but just keeping my speed, just doing what I do and just concentrate on who I am as a player."

Blake Butera, the Rays' senior director of player development, agrees. He doesn't want Simpson to try to imitate anyone else.

"I think in a perfect world we get him to continue what he's doing, but just hit the ball harder," Butera said. "I think that is the preferred outcome. The last thing we want to do is try to get him to change how he's attacking pitchers and try to hit fly balls and all that stuff. We don't want to change who he is. He's had a lot of success doing what he's doing, and think he brings a lot to the table with his profile."

There's another part of Simpson's game that Butera appreciates, too: It's simply fun to watch him on the bases.

"I don't think he gets enough recognition for what he does," Butera said. "He changes the game. It's so fun to watch him play in person with how often he's on base. Then, when he's on base, the havoc he's causing on the bases. It seems like every time he's on first, a few pitches later he's on third, and then a sac fly and he's scoring."

Simpson grew up idolizing other speedsters like Dee Gordon and Billy Hamilton, modeling his game off of theirs. Now, he wants to reach the Major Leagues like they did and show off those wheels in a Rays uniform.

"I want to show them that my speed will play every single day and that I can be an impact player every day and into the playoffs," Simpson said.

With all that speed, there is really only one question left: Is there anyone in the Majors he wants to race?

"I want to race my best friend, Victor Scott," Simpson said with a laugh. "I wouldn't mind getting him in a race or two.

Who's winning that one? For Simpson, it's obvious.

"Oh, I'm winning it for sure."