2025 Pittsburgh Pirates predictions: Team MVP, breakout player, record and more

Pirates Rookie of the Year: Bubba Chandler

A year ago, Baseball America ranked Paul Skenes as the ninth-best prospect in baseball, and we all know how well he went on to pitch in his rookie year. Now, the same outlet ranks Bubba Chandler as the game's seventh-best prospect. Chandler will likely get a promotion to the Major Leagues around the same time as Skenes did in 2024, and as long as he stays healthy (knock on wood), he should be another key piece of the Pirates’ rotation.

Chandler had an outstanding 3.08 ERA while striking out 30.9% of his opponents last year. After struggling with walks in previous seasons, Chandler only handed out a free pass to 8.6% of the batters he faced in 2024. Home runs were a non-issue as well, with an 0.68 HR/9. Chandler was one of only 28 pitchers in Minor League Baseball in 2024 with a K%/BB% over 20%, as well as a sub-3.50 ERA with at least 100 innings under their belt (Chandler totaled 119.2 IP).

Baseball America projects Chandler’s upper-90s four-seamer as a 70-grade offering. His changeup is his second-best pitch, which sits at a 60 grade. Those aren’t his only reliable offerings, as his slider also projects as above average. Only his curveball is considered a fringe offering. Chandler’s ability to control his stuff has also greatly improved over the last two seasons. He’s translated the athleticism he displayed at shortstop as a two-way player in high school and early on in his pro career to the mound.

The last time a team had players take home back-to-back Rookie of the Year trophies was in 2016 and 2017, when Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers took home the honors. Skenes/Chandler could repeat the same feat this season. Chandler not only has a strong chance of being the Pirates’ best rookie, but he may be the best rookie across all of the National League.