Slugging first baseman Will Simpson out to build on success with Lansing Lugnuts
It was only an exhibition, but Will Simpson made a strong early impression when he drilled a pair of home runs and drove in seven runs during a record-setting Crosstown Showdown performance against Michigan State last week.
The 22-year-old Lansing Lugnuts first baseman hopes that's a sign of things to come as he embarks on his second season of professional baseball.
This year's journey with the Lugnuts marks the start of Simpson's first full season as a pro after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 15th round of last year's MLB draft out of Washington.
And Simpson is ready to build on the success from his pro debut with the Stockton Ports last year when he hit .319 with 13 doubles, six home runs and RBIs in 36 games.
"I was very happy with how it went," said Simpson, who is ranked as Oakland's No. 29 prospect by MLB Pipeline. "There's a lot more work to do. I'm going to keep building on that and keep performing."
Simpson started the season by going 1-for-8 during a three-game road series at Dayton but drew six walks and struck out just twice. His six walks lead the Midwest League entering Tuesday's contests.
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The power and patience he has displayed at the plate over the last week are among the things Simpson aims to continue to show for the Lugnuts, who face the Great Lakes Loons in their home opener at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday.
"I'm just trying to develop as much as I possibly can and have as much fun as I can as well," Simpson said. "This is a sport I grew up dreaming about playing professionally and I'm just going to go out every day and have a ton of fun."
That fun approach Simpson and fellow Lugnuts newcomer Henry Bolte have brought has been noticed by second-year Lugnuts manager Craig Conklin. He said the tandem, who are both ranked among the Athletics' top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline, play loose and work hard.
"They have a youthfulness to them and a newness that rubs off on guys," Conklin said. "They are intense, but they keep things light. They're pleasant to be around. They are good clubhouse guys and really good players as well."
More: Will Simpson, Lansing Lugnuts slug way to Crosstown Showdown win over Michigan State
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Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway,
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Will Simpson driven to build off debut success with Lansing Lugnuts
