MLB's Spring Breakout prediction has Pirates fans excited for Bubba Chandler impact

The Pirates and Phillies will send their best and brightest prospects to MLB’s second annual Spring Breakout on March 14. Konnor Griffin, Thomas Harrington, Termarr Johnson and now top prospect Bubba Chandler headline the class for the Pirates.

Chandler surged up the prospect rankings last season with solid numbers in Double-A before seven lights-out Triple-A starts. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound right-hander posted an overall ERA of 3.08, a 1.02 WHIP, 148 strikeouts and just 41 walks across 111.0 innings pitched in 2024.

His numbers improved when he moved to Triple-A as well. Chandler registered a 1.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 54 strikeouts in 39.1 innings with Indianapolis at the end of last season. The 22-year-old has already appeared multiple times for the team early in spring training with his stuff playing well against major-league hitters.

Chandler’s 70-grade fastball remains his best pitch. He has hit 98 mph with the pitch before, but regularly sits in the 95-97 mph range. Chandler also has fantastic control of his fastball, making it all the better. The top Pittsburgh prospect utilizes a 60-grade slider as his second-best pitch. Chandler throws his slider around 87 mph with an above-average amount of break. He also features a curveball and changeup to round out his four-pitch arsenal.

Pirates' Bubba Chandler Will Likely Face Trio of MLB Top 100 Hitters in Spring Breakout Prediction

The three main at-bats to watch in this particular showcase game will come against the three Top 100-ranked Philadelphia hitting prospects. Aidan Miller sits 27th on MLB.com’s list. The 20-year-old shortstop was selected 27th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Miller reached Double-A a year ago, thanks to his solid pop and extra-base-hit ability. He slugged .446 across three MiLB levels in 2024 while striking out 100 times in 395 at bats. Chandler punching out Miller appears as the ideal at-bat for the Pirate pitcher.

Justin Crawford ranks 64th in the Top 100. The 21-year-old outfielder slashed .313/.360/.444 with 25 doubles and 42 stolen bases between High-A and Double-A last season. Crawford does not strike out much, either. Success for Chandler here would come in the form of a popup or lazy fly ball to keep the former 17th overall pick’s speed out of the equation. If Crawford was to reach, look for the cat-and-mouse game on the basepaths and how Chandler handles it on the mound.

Eduardo Tait sits 93rd on the Top 100 and rounds out the trio of matchups to watch. Tait was signed last January as an international free agent at the age of 17. The left-handed hitting catcher has done nothing but hit in his first two pro seasons. He slashed .302/.356/.486 with 11 homers, 18 doubles and 73 RBI in the lower minor leagues a year ago. Chandler should simply overpower the young Tait in this at-bat, given where both players are in their respective careers.