Rays facing 100 stolen-base question with speedster that could bode well for a breakout
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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.
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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.
And if Doolittle's goal of 100 stolen bases were to be reached this season, then Simpson would almost surely have become a quality and disciplined hitter.
Getting onto first base for Simpson could easily turn into a runner at second base, as his base-stealing ability is likely the best in baseball.
In 2024 in the minor leagues, Simpson stole 104 bases across 110 games. If he were to play a full season, or at least more than 110 games in 2026 in the Majors, he could potentially reach triple-digits.
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Last season in the Majors, Simpson reached 44 stolen bases across 109 games played, so he would need to more than double his stolen base output going forward to reach triple-digits.
Even with a decent .325 on-base percentage, there's room for improvement for Simpson in 2026. In his 104-stolen-base 2024 season, his OBP was a very solid .410. Reaching that figure could make 100 stolen bases within reach for Simpson.
That 100-stolen-base goal is a good one for Simpson. The only way he gets to accomplish such a ridiculous goal is by getting on base more often, which would, in turn, make him a much more valuable player in the Majors.
The 25-year-old speedster is the Rays' biggest question mark entering the season. Not because of his talent, but rather for just how far he can utilize his talent this season.
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