Former Fond du Lac Dock Spider Chandler Simpson Debuts with the Rays
Simpson becomes the fifth former Dock Spiders player to reach the Major Leagues
FOND DU LAC, WI – Former Fond du Lac Dock Spiders infielder Chandler Simpson made his Major League debut for the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, April 19 against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Simpson becomes the fifth former Fond du Lac Dock Spiders player in the majors, joining Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott, Cardinals right-handed pitcher Ryan Loutos, and Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes as Major Leaguers with Fond du Lac ties. Simpson and Durbin were each called to the majors on the same date – Friday, April 18, 2025. Durbin made his Major League debut on Friday night with the Brewers.
Simpson, who played collegiately at the University of Alabama – Birmingham and Georgia Tech, appeared for the Dock Spiders in 2021. The Atlanta, Georgia, native was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round of the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. In 51 games with the Dock Spiders in 2021, Simpson hit .378 (77-for-204) with three doubles, one triple, 23 RBI, an .831 OPS, and 55 stolen bases. His stolen base total of 55 in 2021 set the single-season Northwoods League record.
Simpson started his professional career in 2022 with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays. Over eighth games in the FCL, he hit .370 and stole eight bases. His 2023 season was spent between Class-A Charleson of the Carolina League and High-A Bowling Green of the South Atlantic League. He and former Dock Spiders teammate Victor Scott tied for the 2023 minor league stolen base crown with a total of 94 stolen bases each.
Simpson finished the 2024 season with 104 stolen bases to become the first minor or Major League player since 2012 to reach 100 stolen bases in a season. His 104 stolen bases set the Rays minor league record, breaking his own record from 2023, when he stole 94 bases. Simpson also participated in the 2024 MLB Futures Game, was recognized as the Rays Minor League Baserunner of the Year for the second time, was named a Double-A All-Star, was selected to the All-MiLB Second Team, and entered 2025 as the No. 4 prospect in the Rays organization, according to MLB.com.
In his Major League debut against the Yankees, Simpson started in center field and batted first. He went 1-for-5 at the plate with a double, a run scored, and one RBI. Prior to his promotion to Tampa Bay, he appeared in 17 games for Triple-A Durham in 2025. Simpson hit .301 (22-for-73) with one triple, eight RBI, and eight stolen bases.
Since the Dock Spiders first season in 2017, they have enjoyed an overall winning record of 282-262 for a .518 winning percentage. They won their first Northwoods League Championship in 2018 and also claimed the League’s Wisconsin-Illinois Pod Championship in 2020. A total of 43 former Dock Spiders players have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams, including five selections last season.
The Dock Spiders will begin their ninth season of Northwoods League play during the spring of 2025. Information about ticket packages is currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833. Visit the Dock Spiders ballpark Box Office and Team Store during normal business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 360 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit dockspiders.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Dock Spiders as your favorite team.