Latest news with #BubbaChandler
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Pirates call up top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler
The top pitching prospect in baseball is now a Bucco. Right-hander Bubba Chandler was called up by the Pirates on Wednesday ahead of their three-game series against the Blue Jays, which starts on Friday. Chandler has a 4.05 ERA this season in Triple-A Indianapolis, along with a 5-6 record, but is still listed as the majors' best pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Twins on Feb. 27, 2025. AP His 121 strikeouts are the most in the International League. The righty is expected to work out of the bullpen once he arrives in Pittsburgh, a similar move that the Pirates used with Braxton Ashcraft when he was called up earlier this year. 'Just getting him up here in the big leagues and getting him in that role,' Pirates manager Don Kelly said about the callup, according to the Associated Press. 'You saw Ashcraft really thrive in it. He got his feet wet in the bullpen, had some really big outings. … He's bounced around, done some different things, starting and being in the pen. 'To have [Chandler] in a situation like that, can go out in the pen and work on things at the big league level and be here to learn from the guys up here, and learn from the staff, the players and get feedback from major league meetings. It's really, really important for him and for us.' Ashcroft was in a similar position as Chandler coming out of Triple-A and he has gone 3-2 and posted a 3.02 ERA in 19 appearances. Ashcroft, who played with Chandler in Double-A and Triple-A, expressed excitement for the right-hander to be joining him in the big leagues. 'It's cool to see guys ascend into the pitchers that they aspire to be,' he said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 'I think that in that situation, there's a lot of emotions. There was for me. But ultimately it's just about the opportunity. I fully expect Bubba to be confident in that, excel in that role knowing that the end goal is to be a starting pitcher.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Clemson football quarterback commit reportedly set to make MLB debut
The newest member of the Pittsburgh Pirates' big league roster isn't just the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. He's also a former Clemson football recruit. According to multiple reports Wednesday, the Pirates are calling up right-hander Bubba Chandler, a former quarterback who originally committed to play for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney in May 2020 but was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of MLB's 2021 draft. Chandler was a two-sport athlete at North Oconee High School in Georgia. He has since gone on to become the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, according to midseason prospect rankings from MLB Pipeline. In 24 starts at Class AAA Indianapolis this season, Chandler has posted a 4.05 ERA in 100 innings. He has 121 strikeouts to 53 walks for a 1.48 WHIP. According to a profile on Chandler from Alex Stumpf Wednesday, the Pirates' hurler was prepared to head to Clemson for his freshman season as a two-sport athlete in football and baseball in 2021 after he didn't hear his name called in the first round of that year's draft. Chandler mentioned his relationship with Swinney and talked about being offered a chance to return to Clemson in 2023 after some early season struggles in Class A ball. Per Stumpf's story at MLB Pipeline: "Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told Chandler there was still a spot waiting for him, and those with NIL money had continued to try to be the siren call to bring him back to the gridiron. "Hell yeah I was considering it," Chandler said. "I had a couple conversations with myself about going back. ... This is not what I expected pro ball to be, and this is not very fun, and I knew I was going to have fun if I was playing quarterback for a top five university." Chandler will instead make his big league debut out of the bullpen, the AP reports, when the Pirates host the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series at PNC Park beginning Friday. Across four seasons of minor league ball, Chandler has compiled a 26-18 record and 3.73 ERA in 89 starts. He has struck out 457 batters over 372 innings. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Former Clemson football commit set to make Major League Baseball debut
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Paul Skenes to be Joined by New MLB Top Pitching Prospect on Pirates Staff
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Pittsburgh Pirates are slogging through another dismal season, destined to miss the playoffs for the 10th season in a row, despite a starting rotation topped by the pitcher who is arguably the best in baseball — certainly in the top five — 23-year-old Paul Skenes. But as they sit 15 games out of a playoff spot in the National League with just 35 games remaining, the future looks a bit more encouraging because one thing the Pirates are not lacking for is prospect depth. BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Bubba Chandler #57 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by teammate Omar Alfonzo #50 after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March... BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Bubba Chandler #57 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by teammate Omar Alfonzo #50 after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March 14, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. MoreThe Pirates currently have five prospects ranked in the MLB Pipeline Top 100, including the No. 1 prospect in baseball, 19-year old shortstop/center fielder Konnor Griffin. But Pittsburgh also has the top-ranked pitcher in the Pipeline rankings, the No. 7 overall prospect, right-hander Bubba Chandler, a 22-year-old former two-way player who was drafted in the third round with the 72nd overall pick in 2021. And it is the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native who, out of the Pirates' current elite prospect crop, will get the first shot at the big leagues. According to a report Wednesday by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chandler — whose given name is Roy Ruben Chandler — will make his MLB debut as early as Friday. But while Chandler will be joining Skenes, another top-ranked prospect before his promotion last season, on the Pittsburgh staff, it appears that he will not be added to the starting rotation now led by Skenes — at least not immediately. More MLB: Paul Skenes to Red Sox? Insane Trade Thought Pushed by MLB Network Host "Chandler will initially be used in a bulk role out of the bullpen," Hiles wrote. "He will also have an opportunity to start games for the Pirates in 2025." Chandler committed to play quarterback at Clemson out of high school, where he could have had the opportunity to take over the starting job from Trevor Lawrence. Instead, he chose baseball, helped along by a generous $3 million signing bonus — more than three times the designated value for the 72nd draft slot, which was $870,700. Chandler in 2021 was considered a first-round draft prospect both as a pitcher and as a shortstop, but fell to the third round likely due to his Clemson commitment, where he was offered scholarships to play both football and baseball. But the Pirates offered him a first-round-level bonus, and the opportunity to both hit and pitch at the professional level. But after doing double duty on the mound and at designated hitter in the 2021 and 2022 minor league seasons, Chandler hung up his bat to focus solely on pitching starting in 2023. The top prospect's fastball has topped out at 96.7 mph, and he also possesses a slider and changeup that both register in the upper 80s, providing good separation from his four-seamer. The Pirates as of Wednesday afternoon had not confirmed the Post-Gazette reports, or when Chandler would be expected pitch in an MLB game for the first time. More MLB: Pirates Owner Wasting Paul Skenes Era, 'Should be Embarrassed,' MLB Analyst Says
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Pirates call up Bubba Chandler, baseball's top pitching prospect
PITTSBRURGH — Baseball's top pitching prospect is getting called up to the majors. Article content The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to promote 22-year-old right hander Bubba Chandler ahead of their game Friday against the Colorado Rockies, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Article content The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the roster move was not yet official. Article content Article content
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates hope call-up of MLB's top pitching prospect gives them Paul Skenes boost
Pirates hope call-up of MLB's top pitching prospect gives them Paul Skenes boost originally appeared on The Sporting News The Pittsburgh Pirates hope the next Paul Skenes is on his way to the big leagues. According to 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. MORE MLB NEWS: Roman Anthony gets paid by the Red Sox Steven Kwan shows kindness on the most stressful day of his MLB career Marlins' Jakob Marsee starts his MLB career in a way no one ever has Cubs' Matthew Boyd has mastered the balk pickoff move Angels closer Kenley Jansen reveals his retirement plans Yankees are paying 3 players a combined $43.8 million to not play for them
