There’s many great Simpsons in history. Jessica Simpson, Ashley Simpson, O.J. Simpson. Okay, maybe I better restart the opening.
There is a great T.V. show which most of you have, I am sure, heard of called The Simpsons. I grew up watching it and now get to enjoy it again from the beginning with my 9 year old son who has also taken a liking to it. There’s plenty of famous phrases from the cartoon such as “Eat my shorts”, “You don’t make friends with salad”, “Everything’s coming up Milhouse”, “To Alcohol, the cause and solution of all of life’s problems”, and “I think Women and Seamen don’t mix”. But of course, the one everyone knows is Homer’s simple exclamation of “D’Oh”. With Chandler Simpson seemingly haven locked up an everyday role with the Rays current rash of injuries other teams around the league are saying it every time he gets on base.
In 2024 in the minor leagues Chandler Simpson stole 104 bases. He walked more than he struck out and had a .388 BABIP which translated to a .355 BA. He was caught at a higher percentage than you’d think for a guy who runs like him getting cut down 17 times. I’m sure he faced a plethora of pitch-outs though and major league teams may not be as apt to do that.
Will his skills continue to translate to the majors? That’s a big ol’ yes from me. While not as impressive on the walk rate just yet his K-Rate in his first hundred ABs in the majors is only at 12.3%. I think he’ll slowly lower that and raise his walk rate as the season goes on. His sprint speed so far is 30.0Ft/sec. That puts him fourth in MLB behind only Bobby Witt Jr, Byron Buxton, and Victor Scott II. He is using that foot speed well in his batting style with 60% of his balls in play being on the ground.
Will he stay up in the majors? Let’s start with the fact that he was leading off and when Josh Lowe came back off IL they plugged Lowe back atop the lineup. The Rays also gave Johnny Deluca the opening day nod, and had Jake Mangum and then Travis Jankowski in there before Simpson started seeing regular playing time after his call up. His defense plays on any team in MLB with only 3 errors committed in just shy of 500 professional games. I think he’s gonna need to get the OBP up a little perhaps to keep an everyday job, but I think the Rays would be making a big mistake sending him back down at this point. More likely if they keep fading out of the divisional picture they release a guy like Jankowski and look to move some of their other pieces for some minor league returns.
Here’s the current Stolen Base Leader Board through Sunday, May 18th
The Speed Dials
We’re 2 for 13 on Speed dials after going 0 for 1 last time. A trip to the Paternity list and two players not in the linuep don’t count toward the number. We did get another Home run out of those speed dial streams this time from Will Benson. So that makes four home runs targeting stolen bases and only two steals. Go figure.
Mariners vs White Sox– Tuesday May 2oth
Leody Taveras – Taveras has caught right on with Seattle in Right Field most days. He’s 30 for 37 stealing the last two seasons. He’ll face Bryse Wilson who isn’t the easiest to run against allowing .094 SB/IP. That being said, he does allow plenty of traffic. Behind the dish will be Edgar Quero or Matt Thaiss. Thaiss is around league average throwing out runners while Quero lands just in the top third.
Marlins vs Cubs – Wednesday May 21st
Otto Lopez – Lopez comes off the IL while Xavier Edwards lands there. He’s 23 for 28 on steals the last two seasons with a slightly above league average sprint speed of 28.4 Ft/Sec. He’ll face youngster Cade Horton who has allowed both MLB runners to succeed and is now good for a .222 SB/IP in his limited MLB work. Miguel Amaya is in the top third of catchers, while Carson Kelly only throws out 13% of would be base stealers.
Brewers vs Pirates – Thursday May 22nd
Sal Frelick – Frelick is 26 for 31 the last two seasons and should be in the lineup with right hander Cameron Mlodzinski on the hill. CM has allowed all 8 MLB runners to succeed so far and has a .089 SB/IP. You already heard about the Pirates catchers above.
Angels vs Marlins – Friday May 23rd
Luis Rengifo – He’s only 1 for 4 this year, but stole 24 in just 304 Plate appearances last year so he’ll get going. His sprint speed is below average at 26.3 Ft/Sec, but he gets great jumps. He’ll also face Sandy Alcantara, who is struggling with traffic and holding runners on to the tune of guys going 18 for 18 against him and has an astronomical .432 SB/IP. Both Liam Hicks and Nick Fortes struggle to control the run game landing in the middle of the pack since the start of last year at 14% and 16% respectively.
That’s all, folks. Any other questions, hit me up here on or on Twitter @TheGreatKnoche
Loved “plethora of pitch-outs “, Dawg.