Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Chandler Simpson Achieves Dynamic Feat Not Seen in 16 Years

Chandler Simpson has racked up 15 singles and six stolen bases in his first 14 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, achieving a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Julio Borbón in 2009.

Bronx, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) hits an infield single during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Chandler Simpson has been in the big leagues for just about two weeks, and he has already found a way to make history.

The Tampa Bay Rays called up Simpson for the first time in mid-April, adding the much-hyped speedster to their active roster. He has been a constant presence in the lineup ever since, all while producing at a consistent level.

Simpson is batting .296 with four RBIs, nine runs, a .648 OPS and a 0.1 WAR through 14 games. Only one of his 16 hits has gone for extra-bases – a double in his MLB debut – but his six stolen bases have helped to make up for his lack of power.

According to Underdog Fantasy's Justin Havens, Simpson is the first player to record at least 15 singles and six stolen bases through his first 14 career games since Julio Borbón did so with the Texas Rangers in 2009.

Chandler Simpson is the first player since Julio Borbón in 2009 to have 15+ singles and 6+ SB through the first 14 games of a career. https://t.co/XZEZlC14AJ

— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) May 5, 2025

Simpson is still ranked as the No. 7 prospect in Tampa Bay's farm system, just outside MLB's top 100 prospects overall. It could only be a matter of time before he graduates, though, considering the 24-year-old is already more than 40% of the way toward exhausting his rookie eligibility.

The Rays have Monday off, but will resume action against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET. If manager Kevin Cash sticks to his guns, Simpson should bat out of the leadoff spot again.

Related Rays stories

• MY TWO CENTS: Tampa Bay closer is a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities this season, with no outing more impressive than what he did Sunday, striking out the side to beat the New York Yankees. Perfect is a good thing, especially in that job. CLICK HERE

• RUBBER MATCH VICTORY: Tampa Bay shortstop Taylor Walls had four hits and four other Rays had multiple hits in a 7-5 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday. It was the third straight road series win for Tampa Bay, and they moved to within three games of the first-place Yankees. CLICK HERE

• STRUGGLES VS. LHP: The Tampa Bay Rays have largely failed to produce against left-handed pitchers so far in 2025, boasting some of the worst splits in MLB. CLICK HERE

You can follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.