Caleb

Simpson

Simpson inked a minor league contract last December with the Guardians and didn’t end up making it to Cleveland. The 31-year-old righty reliever wound up posting an inflated 7.71 ERA, 2.57 WHIP and 8/19 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (11 appearances) this season for Triple-A Columbus.

Simpson was in Guardians’ camp this spring as a non-roster invitee and will open the regular season at Triple-A Columbus as extra organizational relief depth.

Simpson spent the previous two seasons in the Red Sox’ minor league system and has yet to reach the majors. The 31-year-old righty reliever compiled an underwhelming 7.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 43/23 K/BB ratio across 40 innings (30 appearances) last year between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.

Simpson has undergone a range of surgeries since the Giants selected him in the 21st round of the 2013 MLB Draft, but he’s throwing harder than ever at age 30 and could perhaps finally climb to the big leagues at some point in 2022. He holds a career 3.45 ERA and 11.9 K/9 in the minors.

Simpson was supposed to pitch in the Cubs system this year, but the team opted to release him rather than keep paying him $400 per week. The 28-year-old had a 3.00 ERA and a 56/30 K/BB ratio in 42 innings in the Giants system last season. He throws really hard, but walks have been a constant problem for him.