In a game where soaring home runs usually get all the love, there’s someone out there who is changing the landscape of this game. And no, he ain’t doing it with his bat. He steals bases like it’s his second nature. Well, he can also take us back in time, let’s say around a few decades ago, when baseball had a different charm. It’s not just a baseless claim. You can hear it from MLB insider Bob Nightengale. He has just predicted that this league is so close to seeing a massive shift.
The player is none other than Tampa Bay Rays‘ prospect Chandler Simpson. The Rays called Simpson up to the major leagues just this previous week. Nightengale made this claim one week later after he was called up: “What if Chandler Simpson changes the complete baseball landscape, exploiting his surreal speed and uncanny ability to get on base, allowing us to view and appreciate the game as if we’re turning the clock back a quarter-century ago.” His prediction is backed by Simpson’s numbers and style of play.
Barely been a week, and Simpson already has 2 stolen bases across 6 games. Not to forget, he also turned ground balls into second base. And when it comes to throwing first bases, he turns them into hits. He sits with a .304 as of Saturday. It’s his unreal speed and rare skill-set that makes Nightengale believes that he can change the landscape of MLB.
And if you hear it from the man himself, he expressed to USA Sports, “That’s my dream.” Simpson further emphasised that he’s grateful to be able to motivate and inspire the upcoming generations. He added that outside this home run era, he can do a lot of other things in the field that matter just as much. Additionally, during this week, the scouts timed him. Turns out, Simpson can run to first base in legit 3.88 seconds.
Simpson even acknowledged the fact that whenever he steals bases, all the eyes around can’t escape it. Nightengale has basically signaled MLB to take notice of Chandler Simpson‘s game-changing talent. Now, it might trigger a question among many. Will Simpson be able to survive in the Major League?
Will the Rays’ prospect Simpson be as good in the big leagues as he was in the minors?
If you think it out loud, Bob Nightengale’s prediction about Simpson bringing change in the league is not far-fetched anymore. His unbelievable speed of getting on base has stunned the world of the minor and major leagues. And now, as he steps into the major league, it might occur to you whether he can be just as good, given the relentless pressure MLB offers.
The Tampa Bay Rays manager, Kevin Cash, said, “People are curious to see how major league infielders handle him. You can get a lot of infield hits in the minors, but can you do it up here? We’re about to find out.” After all, it’s just been one week since Simpson made his way up here.
Similarly, according to the Rays’ GM, he has no doubts about Simpson’s skills reflecting in the major league as well. Neander believes Simpson doesn’t chase. In fact, he puts the ball in play at a staggering rate.
If in just one week, he can top the headlines with his performance, there is no doubt that he will continue to do so for the remainder of the season as well. His blazing speed, and moreover, everything about him, is rare. Simpson doesn’t doubt his performance in the major league as well, he’s just as confident about it as he was in the minors.
With his game, he aspires to make an impact both on and off the field.
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