The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to name up one other key piece of their future.
On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf revealed that the Pirates will promote prime pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to the majors. Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette reported that Chandler can be added to the Pirates roster on Friday and pitch in an extended aid position.
Chandler is ranked because the seventh-best prospect in baseball and the highest pitching prospect total, per MLB.com. His upper-90s fastball and bettering slider are each thought of plus choices. Chandler additionally throws a changeup that has flashed the potential to be a plus pitch and an occasional curve.
The 22-year-old’s minor league season has been a story of two halves. He had posted a 2.03 ERA and a 1.069 WHIP over his first 48.2 innings, placing out 69 batters with 21 walks. Chandler held opponents to a meager .181/.289/.251 batting line over 197 plate appearances, and appeared prepared for the majors.
That modified when the calendar flipped to June. Chandler has posted a 5.96 ERA and a 1.870 WHIP over 51.1 innings since June 1, placing out 52 batters with 32 walks. He has notably struggled over his final six Triple-A outings, permitting 22 runs on 37 hits and 16 walks over 28.1 innings.
If Chandler can proper the ship on the main league stage, he can be part of what might be a formidable younger rotation in Pittsburgh.
Paul Skenes has emerged as probably the greatest starters within the majors, whereas Jared Jones and Braxton Ashcraft had been each well-regarded pitching prospects in their very own proper.
If possession is keen to take a position any assets into bettering the lineup, the Pirates might shock in 2026.
