Diving deeper into the Pittsburgh Pirates' hardest throwing pitching prospects

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.