CLEVELAND -- When Chandler Simpson woke up in his hotel in Cleveland on Wednesday, he began scrolling through Instagram, as many 25-year-olds do. It didn’t take long for the Rays’ left fielder to see he was tagged in a post congratulating him on being named an American League Gold Glove Award finalist.
“Oh, wow,” Simpson thought to himself. “OK, cool.”
The recognition was a result of all the work Simpson has put into his defense, which was one of his worst skills in 2025. Now, either he, the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger or the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford will win the ‘26 AL Gold Glove Award for left field.
It shows how far Simpson has come, and he knows it.
“It means a lot, especially after things I needed to work on from last year going into the offseason and then coming into this year, that was a real focal point of my development as a player as a whole. I’m glad I was able to make big strides at the end of this year,” Simpson said. “Just put in the work, and that’s what I’m all about. That’s just what I tried to do the whole year, and I’m glad that results came of that.”
Simpson’s 80-grade speed is an asset that can help him defensively. And now that he has learned how to better read balls off the bat, how to best position himself and also how he can make his glove one of his strongest tools, the 2022 Competitive Balance Round B MLB Draft pick is reaching his full potential in the outfield.
In 2025, Simpson recorded minus-5 outs above average (11th percentile in MLB). In ‘26, that number jumped all the way up to plus-8 (93rd percentile).
Simpson also recorded plus-8 defensive runs saved, up from the minus-9 he had in 2025.
“I think that is maybe one of the coolest stories of our season, where he was defensively last year, where he's come to this year,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I give Chandler all the credit, but if you're going to look at the help along the way, [first-base coach] Corey Dickerson has been right by his side. And I see the conversations and the interactions they have on a daily basis.”
Dickerson, a former MLB outfielder himself, has been instrumental in improving the Rays’ outfield defense. Even veterans like Jonny DeLuca and Cedric Mullins -- who has long had a reputation of being a strong defender -- have improved metrics this year.
What did Dickerson have to say to Simpson when he first saw him at Progressive Field on Wednesday after the Gold Glove finalists were announced?
“He told me, ‘It’s better if you win it,’” Simpson said with a smile. “Which, I feel the same way.”
All jokes aside, Simpson is quite thankful for how valuable Dickerson has been this year, his first in the role.
“He’s been such a great help,” Simpson said. “I know I put in the work, but just his guidance and knowledge and everything that he’s put forth into me, I appreciate him a lot, for sure.”
Tampa Bay’s defensive play is one of the biggest reasons for its success this season. As the Rays try to come back in the AL Championship Series -- they currently trail the Guardians, 2-1 -- their success in the field will continue to be among their top skills.
Simpson isn’t the only above-average defender on the team. But he’s easily its most improved fielder this season, and he’s now getting the recognition he deserves.
“Just going from last year to this year, last year some people were saying that he was one of the worst defenders, and now to have the honor to be recognized as a finalist and potentially winning it is awesome. I could only imagine how proud he is of himself,” said shortstop Taylor Walls, who is also a Gold Glove finalist. “To see that kind of jump and get recognized for it, it’s just confirmation and affirmation that what he did this offseason really paid off.
“He’ll continue to work and grow, and if he wins it, if he doesn’t, hopefully make some more strides next year and give himself another opportunity next year and the years after, too.”