Chandler Simpson’s Gold Glove finalist leap: Rays left fielder’s defense swings from 2025 struggles to 2026 peak

After a rough defensive season in 2025, Tampa Bay’s Chandler Simpson used a full offseason of work to turn his outfield play into a strength, earning an American League Gold Glove finalist spot at left field.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Chandler Simpson woke up in Cleveland and found he’d been tagged in social posts congratulating him as an American League Gold Glove finalist at left field. The Rays outfielder is among three finalists, and the award will be decided by either Simpson, the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger or the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford.

Simpson’s case for the honor is rooted in a clear defensive turnaround from 2025 to 2026. MLB’s published defensive indicators show his outs above average improving from minus-5 in 2025 (11th percentile) to plus-8 in 2026 (93rd percentile).

Defensive Runs Saved moved in the same direction. Simpson recorded plus-8 defensive runs saved in 2026, after posting minus-9 in 2025.

The Rays credit for the improvement is not only pinned to Simpson’s own offseason focus. Manager Kevin Cash said Simpson’s progress came with support, and specifically pointed to Corey Dickerson’s day-to-day influence as a first-base coach.

In the Rays’ outfield ecosystem, improvement has extended beyond Simpson. MLB’s report says even established defenders such as Jonny DeLuca and Cedric Mullins have posted better defensive results this season, aligning with Tampa Bay’s broader emphasis on fielding.

Simpson’s speed is described as an asset that complements his defense. He is also credited with making strides in reading batted balls, positioning, and getting his glove to play as one of his strongest tools, reaching what the team calls his outfield potential.

Why It Matters

Gold Glove finalist status highlights a role change for Simpson, positioning his defense as a centerpiece rather than a liability.
Tampa Bay’s push in October is tied closely to fielding, and Simpson’s metrics point to a tangible defensive boost at a high-impact position.
The Rays’ development approach is reinforced by the report, which links Simpson’s jump to structured coaching and day-to-day learning.
If Simpson wins, it would cap a season-long improvement arc that began after a difficult 2025 defensive profile.

Sources

Key Facts

Chandler Simpson was named an American League Gold Glove finalist at left field for 2026.
The other AL left-field finalists are the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger and the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford.
Simpson’s outs above average improved from minus-5 in 2025 (11th percentile) to plus-8 in 2026 (93rd percentile).
Simpson’s defensive runs saved rose from minus-9 in 2025 to plus-8 in 2026.
Rays manager Kevin Cash credited Corey Dickerson’s support as a first-base coach alongside Simpson’s offseason work.
The Rays report that other outfield defenders, including Jonny DeLuca and Cedric Mullins, also improved defensively this year.