On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates will select the contract of their top pitching prospect, right-hander Bubba Chandler, on Friday. Chandler is the No. 1-rated pitcher on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list, and the 22-year-old is ranked No. 7 overall.
Despite navigating the Pirates’ minor league system as a starting pitcher, a source close to The Athletic said that Chandler will begin his Major League Baseball career in the bullpen.
It’s too late in the season for the Pirates to make one final postseason push, but Chandler is a promising arm that can slot into Pittsburgh’s rotation with Paul Skenes for years to come.
The Pirates Have Nothing to Lose
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 53-74 and are on pace for their seventh consecutive losing season, last finishing above .500 with an 82-79 record during the regular season in 2018.
Recently, the National League Central club has done an above-average job of drafting and developing pitchers in its minor league system, exemplified by players like Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and the injured Jared Jones. Not much credit can be given to the Pirates for selecting Skenes first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, because he was the clear favorite to be off the board first months in advance, regardless of which organization won the draft lottery.
With the Pirates out of the race and Chandler ready to impact at the major-league level, Pittsburgh felt now was the right time to let him develop against more advanced hitters.
“Rather than put him directly into the rotation, theyâll ease in Chandler with a lighter workload out of the bullpen, as they did earlier this season with right-hander Braxton Ashcraft,” The Athletic’s Stephen J. Nesbitt wrote Wednesday. “The timing of the call-up means Chandler will retain rookie status in 2026 and can earn Pittsburgh a prospect promotion incentive draft pick by winning the NL Rookie of the Year or finishing top three in Cy Young Award voting next year.”
Chandler posted a 4.05 ERA in 24 starts this season at Triple-A Indianapolis, but struck out 121 batters in 100 innings. His pitch arsenal includes a four-seam fastball that reaches 99 mph, and he mixes in a curveball, slider, and changeup.
Bubba Chandler Projects to be a Starting Pitcher
Chandler will start his MLB career in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen, with the transition likely a precaution to keep him healthy and gain more experience before the 2026 season.
“The Pirates drafted Chandler as a two-way player, but after batting .189 as a switch-hitting shortstop and designated hitter in the low minors, he turned full-time to pitching following the 2022 season,” wrote Nesbitt.
“With superior athleticism, a power fastball, and promising off-speed pitches, Chandler has a chance to be a force at the major-league level. However, heâll first need to harness his command. His first chance to do that in the big leagues is in the humble role of bulk reliever. If he turns things around, it could be the only bullpen residency of his career.”
Chandler’s command is a hot topic, as he averaged 4.8 walks allowed per nine innings this season at Triple-A Indianapolis, totaling 53 against 442 batters faced. With his promotion, the Pirates hope that walks are a temporary issue and he becomes a frontline starter in their rotation in future seasons.
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