Pirates Minor League Updates: Two Top Prospects Shine, Bednar Makes Relief Appearance

Two prospects the Pittsburgh Pirates are counting on to one day make an impact in the big leagues are right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler and second baseman Termarr Johnson.

Chandler, the Pirates’ consensus top prospect, is moving closer to being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to Pittsburgh. Johnson, who is the organization’s fourth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is in his first full season with Double-A Altoona.

Chandler was on the mound for the Indians against the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night. Though Indianapolis was defeated 4-2, Chandler turned in an excellent performance.

The right-hander allowed just one hit in four-shutout innings in what was his second start of the season. Chandler walked a pair of batters and struck out eight.

The 22-year-old hit 100 mph on the radar gun and averaged 98.6 on his four-seam fastball. Of the 31 swings batters took against him, Chandler generated 12 whiffs.

Bubba Chandler – OUTSTANDING 🔥

4.0IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 2BB, 8SO’s

Hit 100mph on the fastball multiple times 🔥

60 pitches tonight (46 strikes, 14 balls) –

He’s still getting off that early season pitch limit.

FLAWLESS performance.

Full strikeout recap here: pic.twitter.com/GkrysNEPgB

— Christian ✞ (@CWolfPGH) April 8, 2025

Through two starts to begin the year, Chandler has yet to be charged with an earned run in 6.2 innings pitched and has struck out 12 batters. Opponents are hitting just .100 (2 for 20) against him.

Johnson, meanwhile, hit his first home run of the season with the Curve. The 2022 first-rounder belted a mammoth three-run blast to right field in the top of the fourth He made sure to admire the blast too.

TERMARR BOMB pic.twitter.com/tk1eKtfNxM

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) April 8, 2025

Johnson finished the game 1 for 4 with his three-run homer and a walk. The Curve were defeated 6-5 by the Akron RubberDucks.

So far on the young season, Johnson has gone 3 for 12 with a double, a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base. He’s drawn just as many walks (two) as he has strikeouts.

Non-Prospect Update

An additional player who is far removed from having prospect status also made an appearance on the mound for Indianapolis.

David Bednar, who was optioned by the Pirates on the first of the month, threw a scoreless sixth inning and retired all three batters he faced. Two of those three outs came via strikeout — one on a 96.3 mph fastball at the top of the zone and the other on a 77.7 mph curveball in the dirt.

Bednar has now made two relief appearances with the Indians and has yet to allow a baserunner. He’s also struck out three.