The Rays have a promising talent in Will Simpson, a first base prospect who's been turning heads this spring. While there's no room for him on the Opening Day roster just yet, his performance has certainly put him on the MLB radar. A stint at Triple-A Durham seems to be the next step for this budding slugger, but his future looks bright if he continues to impress.
Simpson joined the Rays after the 2024 season in a trade that sent lefty Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics. The deal also brought in Joe Boyle, a potential standout reliever for Tampa Bay's bullpen this season. While Springs hasn't quite lived up to the ace expectations, the Rays might have struck gold with Simpson, a 15th round pick from the 2023 draft.
Simpson's collegiate career at the University of Washington was nothing short of stellar. Standing at 6'3", he hit .335 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs in just 52 games, earning him a favorable draft position.
His offensive prowess continued in the Athletics' minor league system, where he batted .322 with 15 extra-base hits at Single-A Stockton. A promotion to Double-A Midland saw him improve further, hitting .348 in 18 games before the Rays acquired him.
The Rays, recognizing they needed more than just a promising pitcher for Springs, targeted Simpson for his offensive potential. And this spring, he's been showing exactly why.
In eight games, he's racked up five hits and a .455 average, including a home run against the Tigers. In that game on March 9th, he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs, providing all the offense in a 4-4 draw.
While fans might initially think of Chandler Simpson when they see the name in the lineup, Will Simpson is making a case for his own spotlight. Keep an eye out-his big-league debut might not be far off.