Rays facing 100 stolen-base question with speedster that could bode well for a breakout
This could be a very fun season for the Rays speedster.
Rays facing 100 stolen-base question with speedster that could bode well for a breakout originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Tampa Bay Rays are beginning their season against the St.
Louis Cardinals , and while they might've lost game one in a heartbreaking collapse, there is still plenty to look forward to in 2026. But if there were one thing worth keeping a very close eye on, beyond the continued ascendance of Junior Caminero, it would be the potential breakout of a speedster outfielder who could break triple-digits with stolen bases this season. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle highlighted Chandler Simpson and his target stolen base total of 100 steals in 2026 as one of the biggest questions the Rays are facing this season.
Rays face 100-SB question on Chandler Simpson "Pivotal number: 100. That's a stolen base target for Chandler Simpson," Doolittle writes. "He hit that mark in the minors in 2024 in just 110 games, so the skills are there.
More important than the round number, though, is what it would mean for 2026: Simpson becoming entrenched as an everyday, top-of-the-order hitter who is manifesting his on-base skills at the big league level. " Simpson reaching 100 stolen bases in the regular season would be an incredible accomplishment. While he is well regarded as the highest upside base stealer in baseball, he needs to get on base more often.