Long before Chandler Simpson was terrorizing Major League pitching with his elite speed and contact-first hitting, he was mastering his footwork on a different kind of stage. Years before reaching the World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays, a 12-year-old Simpson was the star of a school talent show, dancing with precision to Rick Ross’ “No Worries” in an auditorium.
That vintage footage has recently resurfaced on social media, offering a glimpse into the early athleticism of a player who has become one of the most distinctive threats in modern baseball. Simpson, who credits his middle school dance moves for developing the rhythm and footwork he uses on the diamond today, is now preparing to utilize those skills on baseball’s biggest stage as the Rays face off against the Milwaukee Brewers for a championship.
Simpson’s rise represents a departure from the power-heavy trends of the current era. In a season where home runs often dominate the highlight reels, Simpson has found stardom through a throwback approach centered on speed, bunting, and high-volume contact. During the regular season, he posted a .306 batting average and led the American League with 46 stolen bases. More remarkably, he led all of Major League Baseball with 42 infield hits, using what scouts call his 80-grade speed to transform routine ground balls into base-running opportunities.
Managers and teammates describe Simpson as a player with a rare degree of self-awareness. Manager Kevin Cash noted that Simpson understands his game better than many ten-year veterans, purposefully avoiding the temptation to swing for the fences. During batting practice, Simpson ignores the urge to hit balls over the wall, instead focusing on peppering line drives up the middle—a routine Cash compared to the legendary work ethics of Tony Gwynn and Pete Rose.
This disciplined approach resulted in a statistical anomaly: Simpson became the first qualified player to bat at least .300 with zero home runs in a single season since Luis Castillo achieved the feat with the Florida Marlins in 1999. While critics of small ball might see the lack of power as a limitation, the Rays view it as a tactical advantage that forces opposing defenses into mistakes.
Simpson’s hitting style was influenced heavily by his father, Ralph, who coached him on the fields of the Atlanta area. Ralph preached that getting on base was more valuable than chasing home runs, a philosophy Chandler has embraced. Teammate Cedric Mullins has been a vocal supporter of this style, noting that Simpson should never listen to those who might try to change his swing to chase double-digit home run totals.
While his offense has been consistent, Simpson’s defensive evolution has been one of the most significant developments for the Rays this year. In 2025, Simpson’s speed was often a crutch that masked poor reads and inefficient routes in the outfield, leading to a defensive performance measured at -5 outs above average (OAA) and -9 defensive runs saved (DRS).
Following a rigorous offseason and mentorship from veterans Corey Dickerson, Jared Sandberg, and Kevin Kiermaier, Simpson underwent a total transformation. He finished the current season as a Gold Glove Award finalist, improving his metrics to +9 OAA and +9 DRS. Cash described this defensive turnaround as one of the most compelling storylines of the Rays’ season, noting that Simpson worked specifically on his jumps and routes to become a truly well-rounded contributor.
Despite his preference for small ball, Simpson has shown he can deliver exit velocity when necessary. In Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, he hammered a two-run triple that left the bat at 102.1 mph, proving that his strength is there when he barrels the ball. However, he remains most enthusiastic about his bunting, often celebrating a successful bunt hit with the same intensity other players reserve for home runs.
As the Rays move within four wins of the franchise’s first World Series title, the spotlight on Simpson continues to grow. For the young outfielder who once entertained his classmates on a school stage, the venue has changed, but the goal remains the same: commanding the audience and coming away with the prize.
