Rays finally make the Chandler Simpson lineup move everyone was waiting for

For most of Chandler Simpson's MLB career, the speedster has hit near or at the bottom of the order.

Not on Friday night. Simpson is batting leadoff for the Tampa Bay Rays' home clash with the New York Yankees.

Viewed through an old-school lens, it's long overdue. For a century, baseball teams simply hit the fastest dude in the leadoff spot. It was pretty simple.

Of course, lineup thoughts have evolved. Now, it's about getting on base.

MORE: Yankees outfielder once battled ostrich in 11-plate spaghetti-eating contest

Simpson's speed can break games, but if he wasn't getting on base enough, the speed wouldn't come in handy enough.

Well, right now, Simpson is hitting .391, and he has five steals in the early going with an .864 OPS that is second on the Rays behind Yandy Diaz.

🚨 CHANDLER SIMPSON IS LEADING OFF 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NEU4KWK6Mh

MORE: Aaron Judge's case as the greatest right-handed hitter of all time

There are a lot of questions about the early stages of Simpson's season, mainly because his batted ball profile doesn't look like one that anyone else would have success with.

But for Simpson, a lot of weak contact on the ground is actually perfect. That's how his speed works.

He'll never be a home run hitter, but he can be a base hitter. And then if he steals second, that's as good as a double.

The Rays are rewarding Simpson for his fast start to the season. Now it'll be up to him to keep that spot atop the lineup his own.

More MLB news:

• Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max Muncy
• He almost retired, but instead he hit his first grand slam
• White Sox are holding a Pope Leo XIV promotion
• This slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong direction