RADIO
When is Bubba Chandler getting called up? Will Bubba Chandler pitch in May of this MLB season? Read about Bubba Chandler's debut date and fantasy baseball prospect updates for 2025.
Another season is underway, and Pittsburgh Pirates fans are again patiently awaiting the arrival of another promising mustachioed right-handed hurler. As Paul Skenes twirls in the big leagues, Bubba Chandler is spinning gems at Triple-A.
After a dominant string of seven starts at Triple-A to finish last season, the righty has moved up to the 14th-ranked prospect in all of baseball per MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.
But when are the Pirates going to call up Chandler? Will it be this year? If so, could he be here by midseason? Could it be sooner than that? Let's take a look.
Featured Promo: Save 50% off the regular price with discount code CHAMP, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW
Bubba Chandler Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball
A former third-round draft pick in 2021, Chandler didn't debut with the club's minor league complex affiliate until 2022, and while strikeout numbers looked good, command was not.
The 2023 season saw some improvement in command with strikeouts, but an uninspiring 4.75 ERA in 24 starts at High-A did not scream "top prospect." However, the 6-foot-3 hurler took a major step forward in 2024, posting a 3.70 ERA in 19 appearances at Double-A to go with a 21.2 percent K-BB percentage.
He performed even better in seven Triple-A starts, posting a 1.83 ERA and a 24.5 percent K-BB%. Back at Triple-A to begin the 2025 campaign, Chandler has logged four starts thus far, recording a 1.76 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and an elite 30.4 percent K-BB percentage over 15 1/3 innings pitched.
Therein lies the problem, though. In his latest start, Pittsburgh's top prospect set season highs in innings and pitches, totaling four-and-a-third and 69, respectively. The Pirates will want to get him a bit more stretched out before awarding a promotion, so fans and fantasy managers will have to wait.
Bubba Chandler Outlook for Fantasy Baseball
The Pirates sit at 9-15, dead last in the National League Central. They are using Carmen Mlodzinski as their fifth starter, who had only five career starts under his belt coming into the year, out of 75 total appearances. Mlodzinski owns a 7.41 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, and a 7.3 percent K-BB percentage in 17 IP.
Fourth starter, lefty Bailey Falter, exited Tuesday's start with back tightness, and the status for his next start is uncertain. To say the Pirates could use Chandler in the big leagues would be an understatement.
Be that as it may, general manager Ben Cherington recently stated that they are managing his innings early so that he can help the team win later, and that the pitcher wouldn't get built up until May, which means a June call-up might be the most optimistic of scenarios.
When the 22-year-old finally arrives, the impact can be felt immediately. He brings a 70-grade four-seam fastball that recently touched 101.5 mph, complemented by a strong slider and changeup.
Bubba Chandler's strikeout velo today:
98.6 mph
93.5
99.1
93.3
100.0
101.5@Pirates | @YoungBucsPIT | @indyindians pic.twitter.com/ADMEH3epQK— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 13, 2025
Fellow top pitching prospect Thomas Harrington, who already made one start this season in the majors, may be the next name called up from the minors to help fill the short-term rotation needs, but Chandler will be up within the next two months.
Currently rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo! leagues, fantasy managers should consider stashing the Georgia native ahead of his eventual call-up so as not to miss out on waivers, especially in those leagues with an NA roster spot.
Top Prospect Rankings and Call-Up ETAs
Make sure to check out the rest of RotoBaller's fantasy baseball prospect stash rankings. Eric Cross updates these rankings weekly for the top impact prospects for fantasy in 2025.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Deyvison De Los Santos - Prospect Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: Now ANALYSIS: Following their Opening Day victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Miami Marlins promoted first base prospect Deyvison De Los Santos to the major-league roster. De Los Santos spent nearly the entire 2025 season at our Triple-A level and was knocking on the MLB door for most […]
Konnor Griffin: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: April ANALYSIS: Shortly before the regular season began, the Pirates opted to send Griffin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Griffin remained on the roster throughout most of spring training and was one of the final cuts, suggesting he made a serious push to crack the Opening Day roster. However, the […]
Andrew Painter: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter missed the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the budding ace made his Triple-A debut earlier this season and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Painter began the season with Low-A, […]
Logan Henderson: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson made his MLB debut earlier this season and was quite dominant, tossing 21 innings to the tune of a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. During this stint, Henderson struck out 29 batters and posted a strong 7.4% […]
Jordan Lawlar: Prospects To Stash
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar received his second taste of the majors earlier this season but was unable to produce. Across eight games in Arizona, Lawlar did not tally a hit and held a 9:3 K:BB. During the 2023 season, Lawlar made his MLB […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
