Pirates hope call-up of MLB's top pitching prospect gives them Paul Skenes boost
The Pittsburgh Pirates hope the next Paul Skenes is on his way to the big leagues.
According to MLB.com insider Alex Stumpf, the Pirates are planning to call up the top pitching prospect in baseball, Bubba Chandler.
Armed with a high-90s fastball, Chandler is ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the game, according to MLB Pipeline, and is the top pitching prospect in baseball.
Stumpf posted on X that "Chandler will be used as a bulk reliever with/ the Pirates. The team views him as a starter long term, and he can get starts this year, but the club wants him to get Major League experience, and this is consistent with the role/expectations of other young pitchers like (Braxton) Ashcraft."
Chandler, 22, seemed primed for an early-season call-up before struggling with command over the last few months. He posted a 5-6 record with a 4.05 ERA over 100 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Pirates' initial plan for Chandler was to manage his workload, like they did in 2024 with Paul Skenes. The goal was to have Chandler fully stretched out in May, but his problems with command forced them to revise the plan.
When the Pirates traded Bailey Falter in July, general manager Ben Cherington shared a goal to give opportunities to pitchers who could be part of their 2026 rotation plans.
Chandler will comprise the Pirates' young pitching core alongside Skenes and Jared Jones. Chandler will retain his rookie status if he pitches fewer than 50 innings down the stretch.
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