Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (undisclosed) exited early during Saturday's contest. Simpson suffered this injury when sliding at home plate. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest against the Marlins, in case the team opts to give him an extra day off. Over his last five games, the No.7-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system has been very productive at the plate, posting a .450/.450/.600 slash line with three doubles, three RBI, and one stolen base. Through his first 25 games at the MLB level, Simpson has posted a strong .301 AVG. He has posted an elite 12.6% rate with a .292 xBA. If Simpson were to sit out on Sunday, fantasy managers should expect Kameron Misner to get the nod at center field.
Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson will start Thursday's series finale against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on the bench. Kameron Misner is starting in center field for the Rays and is hitting eighth against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. The left-handed-hitting Simpson will get the day off against a tough southpaw. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 has gone 16-for-60 (.267) with a double, five RBI, six stolen bases and nine runs scored for the Rays in his first 16 major-league games. As long as he remains in the big leagues with Tampa, he'll provide plenty of speed for fantasy managers in deeper formats. Misner, who debuted in the majors last year in just eight games, is batting .271 (26-for-96) with three homers and 11 RBI in 31 games in 2025. He has yet to face Luzardo in his career and should be faded in DFS.
Chandler Simpson Tallies Two Hits, Steals Sixth Base
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson went 2-for-5 with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Yankees. The rookie has been as advertised through his first 14 games in the big leagues, batting .296 with six stolen bases. He has just one extra-base hit, a double, but power has never been a part of his game. Simpson should be rostered in all roto leagues, serving as a stolen base and batting average specialist who should score a lot of runs batting leadoff for the Rays.
Jonathan Aranda, Chandler Simpson Sitting On Saturday
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Jonathan Aranda and rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson will not start on Saturday in the Bronx against the New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Righty Clarke Schmidt (side) was originally scheduled to start for the Yanks, but he was scratched due to a side issue. Curtis Mead is now starting at first base and batting fifth, while Kameron Misner will start in center field and bat seventh. Jose Caballero is in right field and in the six-hole. Aranda is hitting over .300 so far in 2025 but has gone 2-for-14 with five strikeouts against left-handed pitching, so he'll take a seat. Simpson, who also bats from the left side, is hitting .318 (14-for-44) in his first 11 big-league games, but he hasn't homered while driving in three and stealing three bases. He's just 3-for-15 against lefties.
Chandler Simpson Extends Hit Streak To Eight Games With Three-Hit Effort
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Padres. The 24-year-old has been superb since his call-up from Triple-A, collecting a hit in each of his first eight games, going 12-for-30 (.400) with three stolen bases and a 3:4 BB:K, so he does not appear to be overmatched. He's made some spectacular plays on defense as well. A plethora of outfielder injuries was one reason for his call-up, but the 5-foot-11 speedster looks like he's ready to be a mainstay in Tampa. As electric as he's been, the Rays' seventh-ranked prospect is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but that number should be much higher.
Chandler Simpson Extends Hitting Streak To Four Games
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson went 1-for-3 with an RBI and run during their 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday evening. Simpson would tally his hit in the eighth inning. It was a clutch RBI single that tied the game and eventually forced extra innings, where the Rays would eventually win the game. Over his first four MLB games, Simpson has tallied at least one hit in each and posted one multi-hit game. During these four games, he has already begun to show his elite speed upside as he has swiped two bags. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, the Georgia Tech product held a stellar .301/.325/.329 line with eight stolen bases across 17 games. Given his immense speed upside, Simpson is worth targeting in all category formats.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The rookie outfielder will take a seat against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez on Wednesday. Since being recalled, Simpson is hitting .333 with one RBI and two stolen bases in three games. He's worth an add in deep leagues and AL-only formats due to his ridiculous speed. On Wednesday, Yandy Diaz will take over the leadoff spot while Kameron Misner is in center field and bats seventh against Rodriguez. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups and pull out Simpson before first pitch.
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson is starting in center field and is hitting leadoff on Tuesday against the hosting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. The Rays' No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was called up from the minors to make his major-league debut on Saturday against the New York Yankees, and he's gone 2-for-8 with a double, RBI, stolen base, run scored and a strikeout in his first two games. This will be the second time in his first three MLB games that the 24-year-old speedster will hit leadoff for Tampa. Simpson isn't going to provide much pop for fantasy managers -- he had only one extra-base hit in his first 78 plate appearances at Triple-A Durham before his promotion -- but he's worth rostering in deeper formats for his speed, especially if he sticks in the leadoff spot and sees regular playing time.
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson stole his first base at the MLB level during Sunday's loss to the New York Yankees. Simpson would get on base via a forceout in the eighth inning and then proceed to swipe second base. After batting in the leadoff spot during his MLB debut on Saturday, Simpson was pushed down to the nine-hole on Sunday. However, on Sunday, the Rays were facing Yankee southpaw Max Fried. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Simpson's status as the Rays may either limit his role or keep him on the bench when facing left-handed pitchers. However, against righties, Simpson could become the top option to lead off. Last summer in the minor leagues, Simpson flashed elite speed as he swiped 104 bases across 110 contests. Fantasy managers should view the 24-year-old as a top option for speed in category formats. However, he does not carry any power upside.
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson is batting leadoff in his MLB debut on Saturday afternoon against the New York Yankees. Simpson will cover center field and face New York right-hander Carlos Carrasco. The Rays promoted Simpson from Triple-A Durham before Friday's contest. Simpson carries elite speed upside. Last summer in the minor leagues, the 24-year-old swiped an impressive 104 bags across 110 contests between High-A and Double-A. He made his Triple-A debut this season and needed only 17 games to prove he was ready for the majors. In his brief stint with the Durham Bulls, Simpson posted a .301/.325/.329 slash line with eight stolen bases. Simpson should be viewed as a must-start option in category formats given his elite speed. However, he does not carry any power upside.
Chandler Simpson
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Rays
