Former UAB standout going to All-Star Futures Game
Former UAB standout Chandler Simpson has been selected for the All-Star Futures Game.
At the 25th annual contest, 54 top minor-league prospects will square off in a National League versus American League game at 3 p.m. CDT July 13 at Globe Life Field, three days before the Texas Rangers’ home field hosts the Major League All-Star Game.
The rosters for the All-Star Futures Game were announced on Tuesday.
As a prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, Simpson will play for the American League team in the minor-league all-star game.
In 30 games for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, Simpson has hit .372 with 25 stolen bases since being promoted from the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods. In 32 games for Bowling Green this season, Simpson had a .364 batting average and 31 stolen bases.
With 56 at his two stops, Simpson leads the minor leagues in stolen bases in 2024.
Simpson played at UAB in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the 2021 campaign. In 68 games for the Blazers, Simpson batted .282 with 32 stolen bases.
At Georgia Tech in 2022, Simpson had a .433 batting average and 27 stolen bases in 47 games.
The Rays chose Simpson in the second round of the 2022 draft.
A middle infielder in college, Simpson has become an outfielder in the pros.
Also among the other players picked for the All-Star Futures Game are pitchers Caden Dana of the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Noah Schultz of the Birmingham Barons.
MLB Network will televise the All-Star Futures Game.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.