Tampa Bay Rays prospect Chandler Simpson joined an exclusive club on Sunday when he became the first Minor League player since 2012 to steal 100 bases in a season. The speedster would add two more thefts on the day to push his total to a whopping 102 steals with seven games left to play.
It had been 12 years since Reds prospect Billy Hamilton (155) and Rangers prospect Delino Deshields (101) stole 100 bases in the 2012 minor league season, but Simpson put that record on notice when he swiped 94 bags a season ago. With his family in attendance, Simpson wasted no time going after the century mark, stealing second base in the bottom of the first base despite a pitchout from opposing pitcher Tre’ Morgan.
Simpson, the Rays number five prospect, has proved this season he is far more than just a baserunner. He leads the minor leagues with a .356 batting average and 156 hits, both drastic improvements from last season (294, 130). Simpson’s ability to get on base over 40% of the time allows him ample opportunities to create havoc on the basepaths, and he has taken full advantage.
Though he remains in Double-A Montgomery, the 23-year-old is making a strong case for a cup of coffee in Tampa Bay, especially given the Rays lackluster lineup and Simpson’s well-rounded offensive game. Simpson should be one of the most dangerous baserunners the second he steps onto an MLB field, and he will try to become the first player since Vince Coleman in 1987 to steal 100 bases in a single MLB season.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Chandler Simpson #11 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs out a ground ball during the first inning of a spring training game. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
