Chandler Simpson is turning the clock back — and MLB can’t keep up
Chandler Simpson is turning the clock back — and MLB can’t keep up originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The early part of the 2026 season has produced plenty of power numbers across baseball, but Chandler Simpson is proving a different formula still works.
Through just over two weeks, the Tampa Bay Rays outfielder isn’t just off to a hot start, he’s redefining what dominance can look like without hitting the ball over the fence. According to MLB’s official post, Simpson’s numbers jump off the page: . 407 batting average (1st in AL) 24 hits (1st in AL) 7 stolen bases (tied for 3rd in AL) .
910 OPS It’s not just production,. it’s separation. In an era dominated by launch angle and exit velocity, Simpson is leading the American League by doing almost none of that.
Chandler Simpson in 2026: 🔵 . 407 AVG (1st in AL) 🟡 24 H (1st in AL) 🔵 7 SB (T-3rd in AL) 🟡 . 910 OPS pic.
twitter. com/8RGxcIgfFb — MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2026 Contact, speed, and pressure: Simpson’s blueprint is working Simpson’s rise isn’t random. It’s the continuation of a profile he’s carried since college and the minors — elite bat-to-ball skills paired with game-breaking speed.