Rays' speedster Chandler Simpson improving, succeeding his way

Tampa Bay's second-year outfielder benefits from an old-school approach.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:19am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting Chandler Simpson's batting stance and swing broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, capturing the unique, old-school style of the Rays outfielder.Chandler Simpson's unconventional approach is challenging modern MLB power-hitting trends.Today in Tampa

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson is off to a hot start this season, relying on old-school fundamentals and his blazing speed to find success at the plate and in the field. Despite not hitting for power, Simpson's contact-oriented approach and ability to beat out infield hits have made him one of the league's most improved and surprising players early on.

Why it matters

Simpson's unorthodox approach in an era dominated by power hitters has allowed him to stand out and produce at a high level for the Rays. His success challenges the notion that players must focus on launch angle and exit velocity to thrive in today's game.

The details

With a majority of modern MLB hitters focused on creating more lift and bat speed, Simpson prefers to swing for grounders, often to the opposite field. His launch angles would likely register as negative, but Simpson's speed allows him to beat out infield hits. In 12 games this season, he has already compiled 8 infield hits. Simpson's contact-oriented approach has also led to a 95.6% contact rate in the strike zone and a 4.4% strikeout rate, one of the lowest in the league.

  • Through 12 games this season (as of April 10, 2026)
  • Simpson registered a 0.8 fWAR in 11 appearances, already surpassing his 0.7 fWAR rookie mark

The players

Chandler Simpson

A second-year outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays who is off to a hot start this season, relying on old-school fundamentals and his blazing speed to find success at the plate and in the field.

Riley Greene

A Detroit Tigers outfielder who has adopted an aggressive uppercut swing approach, in contrast to Simpson's contact-oriented approach.

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What they’re saying

“With players like Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene adopting an overly aggressive uppercut approach, Simpson relies on old-school fundamentals, often swinging for grounders, not homers.”

— Jeff Hawkins, Author

The takeaway

Chandler Simpson's unorthodox approach, which prioritizes contact and using his speed to beat out infield hits, has allowed him to stand out and produce at a high level for the Rays early in the season. His success challenges the notion that players must focus on launch angle and exit velocity to thrive in today's power-driven MLB.