Pittsburgh Pirates Promote Rising Star Bubba Chandler

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making a significant move by promoting right-handed starting pitcher Bubba Chandler, MLB.com's No. 7 overall prospect and the top-ranked pitcher. The news, reported by Noah Hiles from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, highlights the Pirates' commitment to developing their young talent.

The 22-year-old Chandler has been impressive this season with Triple-A Indianapolis, making 24 starts and posting a record of 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA. Over 100 innings, he has struck out an impressive 121 batters, showcasing his potential on the mound. The Pirates selected Chandler with the third-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of North Oconee High School in Bogart, Georgia, after he had initially committed to play quarterback for Clemson. His signing bonus was a hefty $3 million, a testament to the potential the Pirates saw in him.

Chandler was originally a two-way player, but he has focused solely on pitching since 2023. He had a remarkable stretch in 2024, going 4-0 with a remarkable 1.83 ERA over seven starts at Triple-A. While 2025 has seen a dip in his numbers, attributed partly to control issues (53 walks in 100 innings), Chandler's ability to strike out hitters remains evident with a robust 10.9 K/9 rate.

As detailed by Hiles, Chandler is set to join the Pirates' active roster on Friday. Initially, he will be utilized in a bulk role out of the bullpen, akin to how rookie right-hander Braxton Ashcraft has been used. Additionally, there will be opportunities for Chandler to start games for the Pirates throughout the 2025 season. It's worth noting that assuming he throws fewer than 50 innings this year, Chandler will retain his rookie status heading into the 2026 season.