Pittsburgh Pirates Promote Top Prospect Bubba Chandler to MLB

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to promote pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to the Major Leagues, a move confirmed by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Chandler’s contract will be selected on Friday, and he is expected to take on a long relief role. This promotion marks a significant milestone for the 22-year-old, who has been regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the sport.

Chandler entered the season as a consensus top-20 prospect and was considered a strong candidate for a spot in the opening day rotation. Last year, he impressed at the Triple-A level with a remarkable 1.83 ERA across seven starts, striking out 34.0% of batters faced. However, the Pirates opted to keep him at Triple-A for the entirety of the 2025 season until now, as they prepare for the final weeks of the campaign.

Despite a stellar start to the season, with a 2.03 ERA and a 35.0% strikeout rate in his first 11 starts, Chandler faced challenges as the summer progressed. His performance declined with a 5.96 ERA since June, attributed to issues with command and a 13.1% walk rate. A high .377 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) since June likely contributed to these struggles. Nonetheless, the Pirates hope that the transition to the majors will reinvigorate Chandler, whose overall Triple-A numbers include a 1.94 ERA and a 34.6% strikeout rate in his first 18 starts.

Chandler’s Role and Future Prospects

The Pirates plan to ease Chandler into the big leagues through a bullpen role, a path that has historically been successful for many pitchers. Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet both transitioned from the bullpen to become ace-level arms. The Pirates view Chandler as a long-term starter, and he could see opportunities to start games later this season.

Chandler’s promotion aligns with the Pirates’ strategy of nurturing young talent. Alongside likely NL Cy Young Award candidate Paul Skenes, Chandler will contribute to a rotation that also includes Braxton Ashcraft and Jared Jones. This promising group of pitchers represents a significant asset for the franchise as they aim to compete in the National League Central.

While the pitching staff shows promise, the Pirates’ lineup needs improvement to support their young arms. Key players like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds must perform to expectations, while emerging prospects such as Konnor Griffin face challenges at the Double-A level. For the Pirates to be competitive in the near future, they will require significant contributions from their young players or strategic additions through trades or free agency.

As Chandler prepares for his major league debut, the focus will be on his adaptation to the big leagues. The Pirates currently have available spots on their 40-man roster, requiring only an active roster move to finalize Chandler’s inclusion later this week. This pivotal moment not only highlights Chandler’s talent but also signifies the Pirates’ commitment to building a competitive team for the future.