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Bubba Chandler 2025 Player Outlook: Budding Ace Approaching Big League Debut
6 mins agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Bubba Chandler is considered one of the best prospects in the sport and should contend for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. After posting a modest 4.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP at High-A during the 2023 campaign, the right-hander took a significant step forward in the upper levels of the minor leagues last season. The top prospect in Pittsburgh opened the 2024 season by getting his first extended look at Double-A ball and held his own, posting a 3.70 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with a 26:94 BB:K ratio across 80 ⅓ innings of work. Then, Chandler spent the final months of the summer with Triple-A Indianapolis and showcased an even higher upside, holding an impressive 1.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. During these 39 ⅓ frames at the top level of the minor leagues, the 22-year-old struck out an impressive 54 batters. His 34.0% K rate at Triple-A was a nice increase compared to his 29.4% K rate at Double-A. Seeing Chandler consistently improve when facing tougher competition is an excellent sign for his major league outlook. The No.15 ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline should be a popular target late in drafts, sitting with a 372 ADP on the NFBC, as the Pirates rotation has clear holes outside of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller.
