Reports: Pirates to promote Bubba Chandler, MLB's top pitching prospect

Field Level Media|published: 08/20/2025, 1:37pm EDT

Indianapolis Indians starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (53) throws to Louisville Bats outfielder Blake Dunn (32) during the third inning of a game Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler, MLB's top pitching prospect in the minors, is expected to be called up to debut for Pittsburgh on Friday, multiple outlets reported on Wednesday.

Chandler, the top prospect in the organization and No. 4 overall in MLB Pipeline rankings, will primarily pitch out of the bullpen but could receive a start before the end of the season, MLB.com reported.

This season, his fourth in the Pittsburgh farm system, Chandler is 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 100 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Chandler, 22, features a high-velocity heater averaging a tick under 98 mph complemented by a slider.

He has struggled this month, going 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three starts, allowing 20 hits and 10 runs in 12 innings.

Chandler, a third-round pick out of high school in 2021, has 457 strikeouts in 372 innings across 89 minor-league appearances (83 starts).

--Field Level Media