Pirates have a gem in their hands in Bubba Chandler, their #1 prospect and one of the game's most highly touted young arms. 

Ranked #1 in their system and #7 in all of baseball by Baseball America to start 2025, Chandler is knocking at the doorstep of the big leagues with electric heat and an inevitable call-up. 

 

 

 

MLB Prospects Report For Fantasy Baseball Ahead Of Week 4

The righty's age is just 22, but his mix of plus velocity, swing-and-miss breaking ball, and improving command is making fantasy managers salivate. With their rotation already in early trouble, Chandler's big-league arrival is imminent, and he's a high-priority commodity in all fantasy leagues. 

What's behind all of the excitement surrounding Chandler, as well as how his arrival would impact fantasy teams in Pittsburgh?

Current Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching Staff

Pirates' rotation started out promising in 2025 but hit turbulence early, setting the way for Chandler to make his mark. Veterans Bailey Falter and Carmen Mlodzinski have struggled mightily in their first three starts, with respective 7.20 and 6.23 ERAs. 

Falter, the lefty tasked with being innings-eater, has gotten hit hard, giving too many base-runners and not missing bats often enough. Mlodzinski, the righty with life, started off poorly as well, with command issues and vulnerability to big innings book-ending his starts. The early struggles have exposed a lack of depth in the Pittsburgh rotation, especially with the team hoping to compete in tough NL Central.

While young ace Paul Skenes continues to lead the staff with his triple-digit heat and whiff slider, the Pirates need another upside arm to join him. Falter's and Mlodzinski's struggles, coupled with rotation depth's inconsistency, have accelerated the promotion timeline. 

The Pittsburgh front office demonstrated an openness to accelerating prospects to the big leagues when they are ready, and Chandler's recent performances suggest he's now in position to make them.

 

 

 

Chandler's Triple-A Dominance To Start 2025

Chandler's Triple-A campaign in 2025 has been nothing less than phenomenal, all but solidifying his can't-miss prospect label. In his first three starts, 10.2 innings, he's had a microscopic 1.69 ERA with 18 K's, which equates to an absurd 15.19 K/9. 

His batsmen domination has been in full effect, with his fastball reaching eye-popping heights of 101 MPH in his last turn. That heat, along with a wipeout slider and still-developing changeup, is making him all but unhittable in the minors.

Beyond raw material, Chandler's control has taken another stride out in the open. He's attacking his target with confidence, taking last year's free passes with him while still posting elite K rates. In 2024, combined in Double-A and Triple-A, Chandler was 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA, with 148 Ks in 119.2 innings (11.1 K/9). 

That he was able to handle veteran bats in the upper levels last year, in addition to his early success in 2025, is an indication that he's ready for whatever comes next. The struggles of the Pirates rotation only heighten the need to push him forward, as Chandler's talent is ready to impact the staff immediately.

 

 

 

Bubba Chandler Prospect Status

As the Pirates' system's top prospect and #7 overall prospect in Baseball America, Chandler comes with enormous expectations. A third-round selection from high school in 2021, he was employed in relief and in rotation as a two-way athlete with plus athleticism, but his future obviously resides on the mound. 

A fastball that now resides in the upper 90s with intermittent triple digits, a slider with an elite whiff rate, and a developed changeup as his third offering have fueled his quick rise through the minors. His 6’2”, 200-pound frame speaks for durability, and his athletic background speaks well for his ability to repeat his delivery.

Chandler's polish combined with his raw talent separates him from other pitching prospects. While other elite arms come with command or health issue red flags, Chandler showed incremental improvement in both those areas. 

To dominate at Triple-A as young as he is is proof of how big-leagually ready he is. With Falter and Mlodzinski not performing, there is little sense in keeping Chandler in the minors much longer, especially in Pittsburgh's quest to stock their young core with Skenes, Jared Jones, and now Chandler.

 

 

 

Bubba Chandler Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Bubba Chandler is an easy stash in all leagues. The fact that he's shown elite K potential with his 15.19 K/9 in Triple-A this season as well as his 11.1 K/9 last season means he offers SP2/3 upside with top-15 starter upside. 

With his high velocity fastball and throwaway slider, he should effortlessly make the jump to the big leagues, and he has the arsenal to collect Ks versus major league bats. There might be growing pains as he learns to navigate those MLB lineups, but his polished command as well as his array of pitches temper expectations of an ugly transition.

His promotion is pending, so he's a redraft priority pick, where he's likely still sitting out there in shallow league wires. In keeper leagues, as well as dynasty leagues, his upside will be even more impressive, as he's a years-down-the-line starting pitcher. 

Managers must act quickly, as his worth will skyrocket once Pittsburgh makes his promotion formal. With him in your rotation alongside Skenes, you'd have that dynamic duo to anchor your staff for the rest of 2025, as well as down the road.

In shallow leagues, his appeal is supplemented by the lack of depth in the Pirates. Falter's struggles and those of Mlodzinski suggest that he's ready to slot directly into the rotation in short order, perhaps as early as May if he continues to pitch as successfully. 

The ability to throw strikes combined with his prevention of damage offers him a floor with raw stuff suggesting ceiling as a fantasy ace. Don't wait for the call to be announced to add him to your team—you'll be too late.

 

 

 

Final Considerations

Bubba Chandler is real, and his ascension to the big leagues is all but complete. With his triple-digit heater, wipeout slider, and ability to pitch through giant situations, he's set to contribute from day one to both the Pirates and fantasy managers.

The woes of Pittsburgh's rotation only bring him sooner, so he's an add in fantasy platforms of all varieties. Redraft, keeper, or dynasty league, Chandler's combination of proximity, stuff, and ceiling make him one of the most exciting prospects to draft in 2025. Get him in your lineup sooner, and you may be holding the Pirates' next ace. 

 

 

 

Want more ways to win on the diamond? Check out our daily MLB picks, DFS tools, and betting insights.

We’re breaking down every matchup all season long – join the FA Discord and subscribe on YouTube for more.