The Pittsburgh Pirates are making waves in the baseball world with the promotion of 22-year-old right-hander Bubba Chandler. He’s widely regarded as baseball’s top pitching prospect.
This move comes ahead of their Friday clash with the Colorado Rockies. It marks a big step in the organization’s plan to build a strong pitching staff for the future.
Chandler has shown both promise and inconsistency at Triple-A this season. The Pirates want to give him big-league experience now, hoping it’ll pay off in the coming years.
Why the Pirates Called Up Bubba Chandler Now
Manager Don Kelly said Chandler will start in a bulk bullpen role. That’s the same way rookie Braxton Ashcraft got his shot in the majors earlier this year.
This gradual approach lets the young ace adjust to MLB’s speed and pressure. He won’t have to handle the full grind of a starter’s workload right away.
Performance at Triple-A Indianapolis
Chandler started the season strong but hit some rough patches later on. He finished with a 5-6 record and a 4.05 ERA over 100 innings.
This month, his struggles intensified with a 7.50 ERA in his last three Triple-A starts. Still, the Pirates see these as normal growing pains.
They like how he bounces back from adversity. That’s one reason they feel good about bringing him up now.
From Two-Way Prospect to Full-Time Pitcher
Chandler was originally drafted as a two-way player. Early in his career, he spent some time at the plate.
After battling inconsistency as a hitter, he decided to focus on pitching. That move, along with careful workload management by the Pirates, helped him get better each year.
A Carefully Managed Journey
In 2023, Chandler threw 106 innings, which the club kept modest to protect his arm. In 2024, he’s already reached 119 innings, showing he’s building the stamina for a future rotation spot.
The Pirates want him to get real MLB experience now. Even if the team’s headed for a last-place NL Central finish, there’s value in letting him learn on the job.
Auditioning for the 2026 Rotation
Pittsburgh’s long-term pitching plan is finally starting to take shape. The 2026 rotation has two locks at the top: Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller.
The other three spots are still up for grabs. Chandler joins a talented group of contenders, including Jared Jones, Mike Burrows, Ashcraft, and Johan Oviedo.
Learning from Teammates and Staff
Braxton Ashcraft, who moved from the bullpen to the rotation this year, has already offered Chandler support. Ashcraft thinks Chandler’s competitiveness and adaptability will help him succeed in the majors.
Working with experienced pitchers and MLB coaches should speed up his adjustment. That’s something you can’t really get in the minors.
A Low-Pressure Debut Against the Rockies
The timing of Chandler’s call-up isn’t random. The Pirates face the struggling Colorado Rockies, which gives him a relatively low-pressure environment for his debut.
Pittsburgh wants to ease prospects into high-stakes scenarios. They’re not about to throw Chandler into the fire before he’s ready.
What the Promotion Means for the Pirates’ Future
The Pirates have decided to push Chandler into the spotlight sooner, showing they’re serious about the young arms who’ll shape their next playoff run.
For fans, it’s a sign that the rebuild is finally inching toward something real.
Key Takeaways from Bubba Chandler’s Call-Up:
- Promotion signals Pittsburgh’s future rotation plans.
- Debut will come in a controlled, bullpen role to start.
- Follows the developmental blueprint used for Braxton Ashcraft.
- Offers Chandler a chance to learn from MLB veterans and staff.
- Coincides with a lower-pressure series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Pirates aren’t just chasing a few more wins right now.
They’re trying to build a pitching staff that can drag them back into the playoff picture. Chandler’s about to get his shot, and honestly, it feels like another step in a plan that’s finally moving forward.
Here is the source article for this story: Reports: Pirates bring up RHP Bubba Chandler
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