Pittsburgh Pirates Dish Out Massive Signing Bonus to Bubba Chandler

North Oconee's Bubba Chandler throws a pitch during Game 1 of a GHSA Class 4A semifinal doubleheader in Bogart on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Benedictine won Game 1, 6-5.News Joshua L Jones
North Oconee's Bubba Chandler throws a pitch during Game 1 of a GHSA Class 4A semifinal doubleheader in Bogart on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Benedictine won Game 1, 6-5.News Joshua L Jones

On Wednesday the Pittsburgh Pirates went way over slot to sign third-round pick, and top 20 overall draft prospect, Bubba Chandler

When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Henry Davis with the number one overall pick in the MLB Draft earlier this month there were some fans who were upset with the pick. However, when day two of the draft began it quickly became clear that the Pirates were looking to go under slot for a reason.

By going under slot the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to assemble the best draft haul of any MLB team this year. Going under slot allowed the Pirates to draft a quartet of the top 50 prospects in this year’s draft. In addition to Davis, they were able to add prep lefty Anthony Solometo, outfielder Lonnie White Jr. and tow-way player Bubba Chandler.

Solometo, White Jr. and Chandler all came with signability questions due to their college commitments. Despite being committed to North Carolina for baseball, Solometo has since signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. White Jr. is committed to Penn State for football and has yet to sign, but is expected to sign soon. As for Chandler, the RHP/SS was committed to Clemson to play quarterback for the Tigers. However, he will forgo college to begin his professional baseball career with the Pirates.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chandler officially agreed to a contract. This deal went way over slot as it will pay Chandler a $3 million signing bonus. This shatters the slot value for the pick of $870,700.

While Chandler was a two-way star during his prep career in Georgia, he is expected to focus on pitching in pro ball. Chandler possesses a high-90’s fastball that he pairs with a curveball that is already a plus pitch.

Chandler was one of the best prospects in the draft. The only reason he fell to the third-round was due to concerns over his football commitment to Clemson. If Chandler did not have that football commitment and played baseball full-time, he would have been a top 5 or 10 pick in this draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates may have gotten the biggest steal of the 2021 MLB Draft in Chandler.

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