Pirates Prospect Profile: One Way Enough for Bubba Chandler

Bubba Chandler is kind of like the person who juggled part-time jobs until they finally found full-time work.

The Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect became a full-time pitcher last season after spending his first full year in professional baseball in 2022 as a two-way player in which he pitched and played shortstop. The Pirates and Chandler then decided to simplify things. It has been a good decision.

The 21-year-old is off to a good start with Double-A Altoona. He has no record in two starts but a 2.45 ERA while allowing four hits and striking out 10 in 7.1 innings.

Chandler has also developed one of baseball’s best prospects. Baseball America ranks him 58^th, FanGraphs has him at No. 64 and he’s 85^th on MLB.com’s list.

The Pirates selected Chandler in the third round of the 2021 amateur from North Oconee High School in Bogart, Ga. They gave Chandler a $3 million signing bonus to forego a football scholarship to play quarterback at Clemson.

Chandler played three games as a shortstop and eight as a designated hitter in his debut season of 2021 in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

The following year, he pitched 14 times, played shortstop in 46 games between the FCL and Low-A Bradenton, and fared much better on the mound than at the plate. He hit .196/.331/.382 with four home runs and four stolen bases while compiling a 1-1 record and a 2.61 ERA.

Last year, as strictly a pitcher, Chandler went 10-4 with a 4.54 ERA in 25 starts between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. In his only start in Double-A, Chandler pitched five shutout innings and allowed one hit to finish the season.

Chandler came to realize in 2023 that dropping the two-way experiment was a boost to his career.

“I think pitching has always been my calling,” Chandler said. “I don’t have great eyesight so hitting is probably not the best for me. It’s a lot easier to focus on one thing. One of the hardest things to do in sports is to be a starting pitcher and focusing on that daily has been a mental grind but also a physical grind as well. It’s a little easier on the back and body not swinging a bat every day but I enjoy it. I really believe I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Chandler also has plenty of other talents. He was a dual-sport star in high school and, most impressive, was ambidextrous in both football and baseball.

Despite being a natural right-hander, Chandler would throw passes as far as 50 yards with his left arm in football. He also pitched as a lefty once at North Oconee and threw an immaculate inning – striking out the side on nine pitches.

However, Chandler has no dreams of being a switch-pitcher in the big leagues. The last major-leaguer to throw with both hands was Pat Venditte, who played for five seasons between 2015 and 2020 with six different teams.

“I mean, hell, I can’t even pitch that well from the right side let alone the left side,” Chandler said with a laugh. “Those days of throwing left-handed were pretty fun but it’s way too hard. The only reason I started throwing left-handed is because I hurt my arm, and I don’t want to do that again.”

Chandler is doing fine and dandy as a right-hander. He is also just two levels away from reaching the major leagues.

“It does make it feel like you’re closer to getting to the big leagues when you get to Double-A,” Chandler said. “I told a couple of my friends that the first day I was in the (Altoona) clubhouse, the feel was different, the whole aura and everything. You just feel like you’re getting closer to the ultimate goal.”