Chandler Simpson

In a game now dominated by power, Simpson is the rare player who changes the game with his speed. A top-of-the-scale runner, Simpson scored from second on a sacrifice fly this year. A transfer from Alabama-Birmingham, Simpson led the nation with a .433 batting average and his .509 on-base percentage was ninth best in the country. In the Northwoods League in 2021, he finished second in batting (.377) and first in steals (55 in 51 games). In each of the past two years he’s ranked among the nation’s toughest hitters to strike out. Of the 618 fastballs he saw in 2022, he swung and missed just nine times. Simpson has bottom-of-the-scale power. His game is all about bunts, bloops and line drives to the gap and he lets his swing get big. Simpson split time between shortstop and second base in college, but he’s a second baseman in pro ball because of his arm. He has below-average arm strength, and his accuracy is hindered by an awkward, sidearm throwing motion. He does have the range, feet and hands to stick at second. Simpson’s rare combination of speed and contact ability stand out and make him a likely second- or third-round pick.