Chandler Simpson

Simpson opened the year at High-A Bowling Green and hit .364 with zero homers and 31 steals in 32 games. He put up similar numbers (.351/.401/.407 slash line, 73 steals) in 78 games at Double-A, while notching an inside-the-park home run for his lone four-bagger of the year. Simpson's traditional fantasy stats are alluring at first glance, but he has some very real flaws that could prevent him from playing regularly in the majors. His 13.1 percent hard-hit rate is one of the worst rates in the minors, and Simpson hit 55.9 percent of balls on the ground and 44.4 percent of balls to the opposite field at Double-A, so there's no evidence of even five-homer power emerging. He is more along the lines of Mallex Smith or Esteury Ruiz on defense, where he's a subpar defensive outfielder despite elite foot speed. The Rays like quirky players with elite strengths, and Simpson is arguably the fastest player in the minors, but his shaky defense could end up being the most relevant aspect of his scouting report. Read Past Outlooks