Diving deeper into the Pittsburgh Pirates' hardest throwing pitching prospects

Gavin Adams

The Bucs took right-hander Gavin Adams in the eighth round of the 2024 draft. Adams did not pitch during Florida State's 2024 season, as he underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the start of the year. Still, Adams was one of the top JUCO transfers in the country, giving him an interesting background, and if there's one thing for certain about Adams, it's that he has the stuff to be a potential future high-leverage reliever.

While active, Adams was touching 101 MPH with his fastball, according to Baseball America. Along with a flaming four-seamer, Adams mixes in an upper-80s slider that flashed solid potential, along with a changeup with similar velocity. His ability to hit the strike zone consistently remains a question, as he handed out 19 walks in 26.1 innings last year prior to transferring to FSU.

Adams should return sometime next season. The Pirates have done well in recent seasons helping young flamethrowers harness their electric stuff. Jared Jones is one example, as are Kyle Nicolas, Luis Ortiz, and Dennis Santana, as well as another young, MLB-ready arm that will be discussed later. Hopefully, Adams will join them by the end of next season.

David Matoma

Mateo isn't the only 2022-2023 international signing that appears on today's list. The second former international signing is Ugandan right-hander David Matoma. Matoma is arguably the Pirates' best relief pitching prospect and should get an extended look sometime next year for Bradenton.

Matoma pitched 22 innings for the Pirates' Florida Complex League affiliate team in 2024, working to an 0.82 ERA, 3.01 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP. He went on to strikeout just a touch over 30% of his opponents with a 30.4% strikeout rate. He had some other solid peripherals, including an 0.41 HR/9 rate, as well as a 9.8% walk rate.

Unlike his fellow international signee Mateo, Matoma has displayed better command thus far in his pro career. He also throws nearly as hard. Matoma sits in the upper 90s with his fastball and tops out at 100 MPH. He has also flashed a solid slider. His third pitch is a changeup.

Matoma has a 6-foot/155-pound projectable frame, and he is only 18 years old. There's still a lot of time for Matoma to develop more strength. Right now, Matoma projects as a potential high-octane reliever. It might not be out of the question he could start, but at the very least, he is someone the Pirates might find closing games for them in the near future.

Bubba Chandler

Since both Jared Jones and Paul Skenes have graduated prospect status this year, Bubba Chandler has become the Pirates' hardest throwing starting pitching prospect. Since reaching Triple-A, Chandler's four-seamer has averaged 97 MPH and has topped out at 99.3 MPH. Chandler's command has also come a long way, and he has flashed ace potential all of this year, both with Indy and Altoona.

Chandler has only further built off his outstanding 2023 second half as this season has continued. Between the two levels of the minor leagues, Chandler has pitched 103.1 innings working to a 3.14 ERA, 3.09 FIP, and 0.99 WHIP. He has a 29.8% K% with a healthy 7.8% walk rate. He has also not been home run prone, only allowing 0.70 long balls per nine innings.

The right-hander hasn't just been one of the Pirates' best pitching prospects, but also one of the best pitchers across all of minor-league baseball. Among pitchers with at least 15 games started, Chandler has been one of the best at striking batters out and limiting damage per inning. Only 10 pitchers have a K% above 28% with a WHIP below 1.00.

Along with his blazing fastball, Chandler throws an upper 80s slider that has induced a whiff over a third of the time at Triple-A. His secondary breaking pitch is a curveball that manifests in the low 80s. Chandler's go-to offspeed pitch is a changeup, which has the highest whiff rate of any of his pitches thus far for Indy, clocking in at a whopping 41.4%.

Chandler's command over his offerings has gone from a red flag to a potential strength. Since the start of the second half of 2023, Chandler has a walk rate of just 7.6%. The athleticism he showed off as a high school shortstop and two-way player early in his pro career is translating to the mound.

Chandler may make his debut in 2024. At the very least, he should be allowed to compete for a rotation spot during spring training next season. He may have the second-highest ceiling of any Pirates pitcher currently in the organization, with only Paul Skenes above him.