Chandler owns a a 3.70 ERA and 1.92 opponent average in Double-A this year in 19 games (16 starts).
Bubba Chandler is one step closer to becoming a Pirate and on his final stop of a moving train destined for Pittsburgh.
On Friday night, a source confirmed to me that the Pittsburgh Pirates were promoting their top prospect to Triple-A Indianapolis. Various other outlets later reported the move and confirmed the promotion to Indy.
A 2021 third-round pick signed for an above-slot deal out of high school with money saved following the pick of catcher Henry Davis, Chandler instantly became one of the organization’s top pitching prospects and ranks as the 9th best right-handed pitcher in Minor League Baseball.
Hearing top Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler is being recalled to Triple-A Indianapolis
Chandler delivered 7 innings of one-run ball today and earned his sixth win of the season
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) August 3, 2024
Chandler, 21, sits as the 49th-best prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and is a former two-way star before exclusively starring as a pitcher in the Pirates organization.
The 6-foot-2 righty posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.92 opponent average, and 1.01 WHIP in Double-A Altoona through 80.1 innings in 19 games (16 starts). Chandler struck out 94 batters, compared to 26 walks, and owns 282 strikeouts in 232.2 frames.
MLB Pipeline grades Chandler with a 60-grade fastball, a 55-grade slider, and a 50 for his curveball and changeup. Chandler pitched strong enough to post a 1.66 ERA over his final nine starts before the All-Star Break.
The Pirates promoted right-handed starter Thomas Harrington earlier last week to Indy. MLB Pipeline prospect expert Jonathan Mayo said on 93.7 The Fan that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Chandler and Harrington pitch in the majors at the end of the regular season.
Chandler struck out seven in seven innings of one-run ball in his final start before becoming one call away from the majors. The Pirates are 3.5 games back of an NL wild card spot.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Chandler make one start in Pittsburgh, similar to what Roansy Contreras did in the final week of the 2021 campaign. It’s more likely Chandler pitches out of the bullpen as a mid-to-high-leverage reliever. Regardless, the future is bright with Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, and Chandler set to anchor the Pirates rotation for years to come.