Through Bubba Chandler’s first two games in the majors, the flame-throwing rightly has already put his name in the history books.
In his Major League debut on August 22 at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ No. 2 prospect earned his first career save. Chandler delivered a four-out save and didn’t allow a run.
He allowed four hits to the Rockies and struck out three, closing out the game without allowing a walk.
A top starting pitching prospect in the minors, Chandler was promoted to pitch out of the bullpen.
In his second game and first on the road, Chandler earned a victory against the Cardinals.
Chandler entered the fourth inning down a run and blanked St. Louis over four innings. He allowed one hit and one walk, compared to three strikeouts. Chandler threw 33 of 55 pitches for strikes.
Since saves became an official MLB stat in 1969, Chandler is the fifth pitcher to earn a save and win in his first two appearances.
Chandler’s last outing was Wednesday, so there’s a high likelihood we’ll see him against the LA Dodgers when the series begins on Tuesday.
Carmen Mlodzinski starts on Tuesday, and Braxton Ashcraft on Wednesday. Chandler piggybacked off Mlodzinski’s three innings in his previous appearance.
Chandler is the No. 7 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and owns a 70-grade fastball, 60 slider, and 55 changeup.
The 22-year-old threw as hard as 101 mph on Wednesday and could form a dominant top of the rotation with Paul Skenes that gives Pirates’ fans hope for the present and the near future in 2026.
