As the 2024 calendar year draws to a close, it’s time to look back at some of the year’s biggest accomplishments.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the greatest organizational accomplishments has been the sheer dominance of top prospect Chandler Simpson.

From MiLB.com:

The No. 70 pick in the 2022 draft became the first minor league player to eclipse the century mark in interceptions since 2012 thanks to his performance at High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. Unlike 2023, when Simpson tied his friend Victor Scott II atop the MiLB leaderboard with 94 apiece, no one was that close to him this year. Orioles No. 4 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. was second with 74. Simpson could put 110 on the line if he spends another full season in the minors in 25, but it’s more likely he finds himself in Tampa Bay by then if this trend continues.

Simpson, 24, is ranked No. 4 overall in the Rays organization, according to MLB.com. In addition to his game-breaking speed, he also hit .355 in 110 games this year. He posted an on-base percentage of .410. He doesn’t possess a lot of power, having only hit one home run, but that speed should keep him around for years to come.

The Rays went 80-82 this season, finishing fourth in the American League East. They will spend the 2025 season playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field due to damage to Tropicana Field during Hurricane Milton last October.

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