Still a ways to go, but Chandler Simpson is catching up in center

TAMPA — Let’s face it, we are spoiled. Perhaps spoiled rotten.

For as long as Major League Baseball has been measuring fielding prowess via Statcast, the Rays have employed the game’s best defensive centerfielders. Between Kevin Kiermaier and Jose Siri, no team collected more outs-above-average than Tampa Bay from 2016-24. And, frankly, no other team was particularly close.

It wasn’t merely the leaping or diving catches, but the amount of real estate covered. Balls that were hit to the gap that might go for extra bases against other teams were often turned into what would look like routine outs in Tampa Bay.

So, yes, it was a little jarring when Chandler Simpson posted a negative outs-above average total during his first tour with the Rays earlier this season.

It’s one of the reasons Simpson was shipped back to Triple-A Durham in late May with instructions to work on his fielding (and his ability to work counts and draw walks).

It’s barely been a week since Simpson was recalled, but there already are signs that his defense has improved. He made multiple highlight-worthy catches on the recent road trip, showing an ability to get good jumps on balls hit over and in front of him.

Chandler Simpson makes a catch for the out on a fly ball by the Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn during the fourth inning of Sunday’s game in Baltimore. [ NICK WASS | AP ]

“He’s made some nice plays,” manager Kevin Cash said. “It’s a work in progress. We know the version of him right now, he’s going to be a lot better by the end of the year.

“Credit Chandler. He works. He’s basically playing every day, but that does not deter him from getting out there with (coach Michael Johns) … I’ve seen him get better jumps, better reads and it just looks more comfortable out there.”

To be fair, Simpson hasn’t had a ton of pro experience. Drafted in the second round in 2022, he’s started only 169 games in the minors in centerfield.

When he was optioned back to Durham on May 30, Simpson said he went to work with coach Tyler Ladendorf to learn to read the ball off the bat instead of counting on his elite speed to run everything down.

“We worked on everything,” Simpson said. “Reading swings, reading the ball off the bat, making sure I take the right route, not being hesitant and going after the ball 100%.

“Just being able to lock in on game situations, where I need to dive, when not to dive, things like that. Seeing what type of hitter can run or cannot run, knowing when I need to take a chance. Just every part of the defensive end, honing in on that.”

While he spent time at leftfield in Durham, Simpson profiles more as a centerfielder going forward so Cash said the plan is to keep him there and Jake Mangum in leftfield, even though Mangum is probably more accomplished as a fielder.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

“When we called Chandler back up, we kind of gave the message to him and everybody that he’s going to play centerfield,” Cash said. “He’s had the most reps in centerfield in his pretty brief minor league career and then getting to the big leagues. (We’re) trying to get him comfortable and acclimated and up to speed as much as possible.”

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.