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By Tim Crowley
Sports and Entertainment Network
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BOSTON -- Chandler Simpson still runs circles around his opponents as he boosts the Tampa Bay Rays in a competitive American League East division.
Simpson already tallied 25 stolen bases in his first 50 MLB games just a year after stealing 104 bases in the minor leagues last year. His elite hit tool (.310 average) and pure speed make him the ultimate offensive weapon for the Rays.
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His value stands out for a Tampa Bay ballclub in possession of a wild-card spot and in a deep race for the American League East crown.
He made his Fenway Park debut in the big leagues Thursday and set a Rays rookie record when he extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Summer baseball in Massachusetts is nothing new to Simpson. He spent the early part of the 2022 Cape Cod Baseball League season with the Cotuit Kettleers.
His dynamic abilities helped the Kettleers jump out to a 9-0-1 start. He finds himself in the big leagues three years later alongside a few Cotuit teammates in St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II and Colorado Rockies shortstop Ryan Ritter.
"That was definitely a pivotal part of the journey to get where I'm at now," Simpson told Newsweek on Thursday. "Just to face some of the best players in the country at that time in college. It was a great step and some building blocks to help my game along the way."
Now, Simpson's sights are on challenging defenses and pushing the Rays back to the postseason after the franchise made five consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2023.
"Just continue to play my game," Simpson said. "I know my part and my role on the team. I know what I have to do to help the team get wins. I know what I have to do in that aspect of my game. Continue to do that day in and day out and everything will flow together."
Simpson won't see his former Georgia Tech teammate Kristian Campbell in this series, but he should see the Red Sox infielder for years to come in the American League East.
Campbell won American League Rookie of the Month in April before a concerning tailspin ensued. He hit just .159 for the Red Sox with a .465 OPS before Boston sent him down to Triple-A Worcester during a 10-game West Coast road trip. Where Campbell fits in the current Boston mix is uncertain as he works at the plate and learns first base in Triple-A, though Simpson knows of all people that his former teammate's story in Boston is far from over.
"He's a great player," Simpson said. "I know he had some struggles, even though he started off great. He definitely showed that he can play in the league. I know he's going through some things right now. I have no doubt in my mind that he'll figure it out. He'll be back up here quick and continue to do what he does."
Simpson can understand some perspective for Campbell as he also returned to Triple-A for 33 games before the Rays brought him back up this season. His refreshed mindset helped him find his footing as an impact player for Tampa Bay.
"Having a positive mindset and taking one play, one AB, one pitch at a time," Simpson shared. "Continue to be in the moment, be present, be where my feet are and go from there."
The top four teams in the American League East sit in a window of 5 1/2 games. The division should produce plenty of entertainment down the stretch as the Red Sox and Rays battle for a spot in October alongside the New York Yankees and the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays.
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