Top Prospect Bubba Chandler Steals Show in Pirates Spring Breakout

If you’ve ever had the chance to watch Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler on the mound, it’s easy to see why he’s considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

Chandler is the unanimous top prospect in the Pirates’ organization and is ranked seventh overall by Baseball America and 15th by MLB Pipeline.

The 22-year-old started for the Pirates in their Spring Breakout game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday afternoon and things could not have gone better for the budding star.

Chandler covered the first two innings and didn’t allow a baserunner. He racked up four strikeouts, three of which came in succession in the second inning.

The first batter Chandler faced was Justin Crawford, who the Phillies took in the first round of the 2022 draft and is considered a top 100 prospect. With the count at 2-2, Chandler spotted a 99 mph fastball on the outside corner for strike three.

Bubba Chandler throwing 💯 in a perfect first frame of the @Pirates' Spring Breakout game.

MLB's No. 15 prospect hits north of 98 mph with four pitches to fan Phillies prospect Justin Crawford (MLB No. 63).

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/iLHvJZbJze pic.twitter.com/Rer1thhRnR

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025

After a pair of ground outs to end the first, Chandler returned for the second inning and struck out the side on 14 pitches. His fastest pitch was clocked at 99.9 mph.

Chandler’s success for the Pirates in the Spring Breakout game was reminiscent of Paul Skenes last year. The eventual Rookie of the Year pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning against prospects from the Baltimore Orioles last year.

Now, the Pirates are hoping Bubba Chandler follows in Skenes’ footsteps once he gets called up to the big leagues, something that should take place sometime in 2025.

As for the game itself, the Pirates’ prospects were defeated 5-3 by the Phillies’ prospects. Anthony Solometo allowed a pair of runs in 1.1 inning in relief of Chandler. Hunter Barco, Wilbur Dotel and Jaden Woods were all each charged with a run.

Tsung-Che Cheng went 2 for 4 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Esmerlyn Valdez and Axiel Plax were responsible for driving in other two other runs and Omar Alfonzo double.