The Pittsburgh Pirates have reassigned pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to minor-league camp. Chandler entered camp with a chance to compete for a spot on the major-league roster but instead, the team will opt to continue his development in the minor leagues. Last season, the 22-year-old received his first extended look at the Double-A level and performed quite well. Across 80 1/3 innings of work, the 22-year-old held a 3.70 ERA with a strong 1.01 WHIP. He tallied 94 punchouts with just 26 walks. He then earned a taste of Triple-A where he logged 39 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Chandler's status at the start of the minor-league season as he should push for an early 2025 MLB debut.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Bubba Chandler tossed one shutout inning during Thursday's victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Chandler served up one free pass but did not allow a hit. He also did not tally a punchout. However, this was a nice rebound for the budding ace as he allowed one hit, one walk, and one run during his first outing. The 22-year-old is currently fighting for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. Last summer, Chandler opened the campaign by receiving his second look at Double-A and eventually made his Triple-A debut. In 80 1/3 innings at Double-A, the right-hander posted a 3.70 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP. However, at Triple-A, the former third round pick logged 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A and held a 1.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He tallied 54 punchouts with 15 walks. If he happens to break the Opening Day roster, he will have value in all formats given his success in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Bubba Chandler Displays His Potential In Spring Debut
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher prospect Bubba Chandler made his spring debut on Sunday and faced four batters. While he allowed one hit and walked a batter, his stuff appeared to be as advertised. The 22-year-old featured his four-seamer and slider, striking out one hitter as well, and the fastball clocked in as high as 99.1 mph. With a strong impression this spring, the righty has a decent chance to make the big league club out of camp with question marks lingering behind Pittsburgh's top three starters, Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones. Chandler impressed during his short time at Triple-A last season, posting a 1.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 24.5 percent K-BB% over 39 1/3 IP, and is MLB's 15th-ranked prospect overall. The former third-rounder is worth consideration at the end of most drafts but would be a slam dunk value if it looks like he'll make the Opening Day roster, so keep a close eye on any developments.
Bubba Chandler Could Break Camp With Big-League Club
MLB Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo gives Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Chandler Jones a 45 percent chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. Chandler, who is ranked as the 15th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2025, could give Pittsburgh a dominant triumvirate of right-handed prospects in addition to reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. The 22-year-old had an impressive 1.83 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis last year while posting a 3.08 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 119 2/3 total innings in the minors in 2024. Chandler also limited his opponents to a .189 batting average. He's one of the best pitching prospects in baseball and features a high-90s fastball with movement and a nasty slider as his two best offerings, also adding a plus changeup. We should see Chandler in 2025 at some point if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Tuesday that right-handed pitching prospect Bubba Chandler, the No. 15 overall prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, will be a non-roster invite to big-league spring training this year. In addition to Chandler, infielder Konnor Griffin (No. 43), right-hander Thomas Harrington (No. 80) and infielder Termarr Johnson (No. 83) received non-roster invites. Chandler, 22, was a third-round pick by the Bucs in 2021 and is expected to make his major-league debut in 2025 after going 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 148 strikeouts and 41 walks in 119 2/3 inning over 26 outings (23 starts) for Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis last year. If he impresses this spring, it's not out of the question that he could win an Opening Day rotation spot in Pittsburgh. With a high-90s fastball, biting slider and developing changeup, Chandler has the potential to be a future ace.
Bubba Chandler With Another Strong Outing At Triple-A
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler continued his impressive run for Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, logging another five innings in which he allowed just one run (zero earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five batters. The outing lowered his ERA at Triple-A to 1.17 over four starts (23 IP) to go along with a 0.91 WHIP and 6:28 BB:K. The former third-round pick has performed better as the competition has increased, posting a 4.75 ERA over 24 starts at High-A in 2023, then a 3.70 ERA in 16 starts at Double-A in 2024, then going on this impressive four-game stretch at the highest level of the minors. Chandler looks primed to make his big league debut next season, so even redraft managers will want to keep tabs on his performance over the final weeks of the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler has looked right at home since joining Triple-A Indianapolis. In his latest start, the 21-year-old threw six innings of scoreless ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters. In his only other Triple-A start, the righty didn't allow a run in that outing either over seven innings of work, and now has a 3:17 BB:K at that level. For the season, the former third-round pick owns a 3.18 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 22.3% K-BB%. Look for him to make his big league debut next season, and redraft managers will want to keep an eye on how he finishes 2024.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler earned Player of the Week honors for the International League in Triple-A. Chandler, the Pirates top pitching prospect made his Triple-A debut and clearly made a strong impression. He earns the honors with seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts for Triple-A Indianapolis. Chandler has taken a big leap in 2024 and has a chance to be the next star pitcher out of the Pirates system. Between Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis, Chandler is now 7-7 with a 3.40 ERA with 100 in 87 1/3 innings in 20 games (17 starts). He could have a chance to make his debut this summer, but it is a safer bet that he will have his opportunity in 2025. Dynasty managers should consider buying stock in Chandler, while redraft managers should file his name away for next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Bubba Chandler dominated in his Triple-A debut on Friday evening as he tossed seven shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and one free pass while striking out six batters. In his final 40 innings at Double-A, the right-hander held a strong 2.25 ERA and stellar 0.65 WHIP with a 6:47 BB:K ratio. Overall, at Double-A, Chandler posted a 3.70 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 80 innings of work. The top prospect in the Pittsburgh system has continued to take significant steps forward in his development all summer. This near-perfect Triple-A debut could open the door for a late-season major league debut. If he posts another strong outing with Triple-A Indianapolis, he could enter must-stash territory.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Bubba Chandler is being promoted to Triple-A, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Chandler logged one of the best starts of his season on Friday evening by tossing seven innings of one-run ball with three hits and one free pass. He struck out seven. The right-hander has held a solid 3.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 26:94 BB:K ratio across 80 innings at Double-A. Since June 21, he has been riding a strong 2.25 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. The former third-round selection is now just one stop away from the big leagues. All fantasy managers should pay close attention to his first handful of starts at Indianapolis, as he may only require a small taste to move up to the Steel City.
Bubba Chandler
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Pirates
