Pirates’ Bubba Chandler Embraces New Singular Focus

Bubba Chandler might get bored this season.

The Pirates’ 2021 third-rounder signed for $3 million out of North Oconee High in Georgia for his athleticism. As an amateur, Chandler played football and baseball, working as both a righthander and shortstop in the latter.

Part of the appeal for Chandler in signing with the Pirates was the chance to be a two-way player. Last year in the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton, he pitched 41.1 innings while getting 102 at-bats as DH.

The results were the same on both sides of the ball: lots of strikeouts and walks but not a lot of hits.

Coming into spring training this year, the Pirates told Chandler that he would be exclusively a pitcher going forward. The 20-year-old responded by filling up the strike zone at a higher rate.

“His pitching is really coming along quickly, and that’s exciting to watch,” Pirates farm director John Baker said.

For a guy who is used to playing multiple sports—and multiple positions—the lone focus on pitching might leave Chandler with a lot of free time. He has already told the Pirates that he plans on becoming a scratch golfer.

“He’ll find something to be competitive at,” said Baker, who noted that Chandler is always competing with his teammates off the field in pool and ping pong.

Chandler will look to use the extra development time to improve on the mound. The Pirates assigned him to High-A Greensboro, where he will pitch in a very hitter-friendly environment.

He has the power profile to overcome any park factors, with a 95-97 mph fastball, a changeup that flashes plus and a slider that needs consistency. The focus on pitching should help him add consistency to his delivery, which would help cut down the walks.

The Pirates will hope that the exclusive focus on pitching will help Chandler to refine his stuff. As a two-way athlete, he provided a lot of exciting possibilities. Now, in a singular role he has the chance to emerge as one of the best pitchers in the Pittsburgh farm system.

BURIED TREASURE

— Right out of the gate, the Pirates were bit by the injury bug in the major leagues. Shortstop Oneil Cruz will miss four months of the season after a fractured ankle. JT Brubaker is out for the season after Tommy John surgery. Johan Oviedo replaced Brubaker in the rotation, while Rodolfo Castro will benefit from playing time with Cruz out.

— The Pirates moved righthanders Carmen Mlodzinski and Cody Bolton to the bullpen exclusively this year in Triple-A Indianapolis. Both had been starters in the past. This is a different approach than the Pirates have taken in the past, when the organization would maintain their starter depth as long as possible. Bolton and Mlodzinski profile better for the majors as relievers, and could both be called up this year in their new roles.