Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects 2024 Outlook: Big Season Ahead for Bubba Chandler
After struggling for much of the 2023 season, a big season is ahead for Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler in 2024
Few pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system have the upside and ceiling of Bubba Chandler. A top 100 prospect by multiple outlets, the stuff and ability is there for Chandler. Now, he needs to start to put things together more consistently.
Chandler was one of the multiple over-slot selections by Ben Cherington and the Pirates in the 2021 MLB Draft. After spurning his commitment to play both football and baseball at Clemson to sign with the Pirates, the righty immediately became one of the organization's most talented pitching prospects.
Overall, the 2023 season was a poor one for Chandler. He pitched 111.0 innings in 25 minor league starts, posting a 4.54 ERA and a 4.78 FIP. He walked 10.5% of opposing batters, but did strike batters out at a 26.4% clip, allowed 15 home runs (1.22 HR/9) and 109 hits while opposing batters hit .267 agaisnt him.
Chandler, however, did finish the season on a strong note.
In 8 starts from July 18th to September 2nd, Chandler posted a 1.85 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 7.9% walk rate, and a 26.1% strikeout rate while limiting opponents to a .173 batting average in 43.2 innings pitched. This strong stretch earned Chandler a promotion from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona for his final start of the season.
Chandler pitched 5 scoreless innings in his lone start with the Curve. The only base runner he allowed came via single and he struck out 8 batters. This start came a few days before Chandler turned 21, making him one of the younger pitchers to make a start in the Eastern League last season.
Looking Ahead to 2024
When the 2024 minor league season begins Chandler should be entrenched in Altoona's starting rotation. This will give the Curve one of the more intriguing 1-2 punches in all of minor league baseball with Chandler and lefty Anthony Solometo.
If Chandler can build upon what he did in his lone start with the Curve last season, he will solidify himself as a top 100 prospect and could pitch his way to the Triple-A level before the end of the season.
A strong season could potentially put Chandler in position for a cup of coffee with the Pirates in Septmeber as we have seen this front office do with young prospects before. If Chandler struggles once again, however, then what his long-term outlook is starts to become murky.
Chandler will start his 2024 season with an invite to major league spring training. While the young righty has no chance of making the team's Opening Day roster, having the extra reps with the Pirate coaching staff should still serve Chandler well.
This will also present an opportunity for Chandler to impress in front of Pirate brass this spring. Few Pirate prospects will be more intriguing to watch in 2024 than Chandler, and few have a more important season ahead of them.