Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.
This year, the Pirates’ top prospect got to start the Spring Breakout game Friday at BayCare Ballpark, a 5-3 Bucs loss, and while he brought the heat again, the pregame routine was slightly modified.
“Red Bulls don’t have any milligrams of caffeine, which is good, but I crushed a C4 today,” Chandler said with a grin. “So, yeah, changed it up a little, but it was cool. Starting it is a lot better than closing it, I will say.”
Chandler, the No. 15 prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline, set the pace for all other top pitching prospects with his performance Friday. After joking with Phillies prospect Justin Crawford pregame that he was going to start with a changeup, he instead opted for five straight fastballs, finishing with a 98.5 mph four-seamer that caught the outer part of the zone for a called third strike. Chandler would end up throwing two perfect innings, striking out four with two ground-ball outs.
It was a showcase of why this 22-year-old right-hander has blossomed into the top young pitcher in this iteration of the Pirates’ pitching development machine. It’s not just because he flirted with triple digits on the radar gun or struck out two Top 100 prospects (Crawford and Eduardo Tait), but also in what we saw in his at-bat against right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. in the second inning. With the count full, Chandler didn’t go back to the fastball, but rather wanted to challenge himself and threw a changeup. Rincones froze and Chandler struck him out.
“Just growing as a pitcher, fastballs can get you through levels, but at the same time, in the big leagues, you've got to be able to mix, and that's kind of my thought behind everything," Chandler said. "[At] 3-2, put yourself in an uncomfortable situation. I love my changeup, I can control it pretty well, let's throw it 3-2. And [catcher] Omar [Alfonzo], me and him are on the same page. He called it, I didn't have to shake to it, and then I executed."
2.0 IP
— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) March 14, 2025
0 H
0 R
0 BB
4 K
Bubba Chandler was lights out in the Spring Breakout 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VLzKbgA2De
Don’t be mistaken, the extra cheddar on his fastball is a big plus too. Chandler threw 11 fastballs at least 98.5 mph, or 99 if you’re into rounding or what flashes up on the screen.
“I’m just really trying to be like Jared Jones,” Chandler said. “But, it was cool. I looked up there, I usually look once an inning just to see where I’m at, just to see if I’m a little sluggish. I looked up there one time and saw it and I’m like, ‘Oh, nice.’”
Chandler tried to be like Jones in another way this spring and try to crack the Opening Day roster. That didn’t happen, as the Pirates reassigned him to Minor League camp on March 6. The Pirates didn’t have enough innings for all of the pitchers they had in camp, and Chandler didn’t make the cut.
That doesn’t at all reflect what the organization thinks about him, and in all likelihood, he’s going to be in the Major Leagues at some point this season.
“My money is on this kid,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after Chandler was sent down. “He's tough, he's resilient. He takes challenges and he's going to be a really good Major League pitcher."
Friday was a small taste of what he can do in those situations and perform against the best of his contemporaries. A year ago, he was closing out a Spring Breakout game that Paul Skenes started. The two are close and work out together in the offseason, and he’s been the team’s top prospect ever since Skenes graduated, following in his footsteps.
“Having to follow a guy like Paul is, I won't say tough, but I think I can do it,” Chandler said.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Other notable performances Friday include:
Omar Alfonzo: The Pirates' No. 19 prospect went 1-for-3 with a double and a run, and the starting catcher crushed the ball each of his three times to the plate, registering exit velocities of 108.6 mph, 106.5 mph and 104.2 mph.
Tsung-Che Cheng: The Bucs' No. 17 prospect went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI single in the fifth inning that put the Pirates on the board.
Hunter Barco: The club's No. 7 prospect struck out one over two innings of one-run ball. The southpaw touched 97 mph on the radar gun and got five called strikes with his sinker.
Alex Stumpf covers the Pirates for MLB.com.
DJ Stewart’s Slam Secures a 4-3 Indians Victory
INDIANAPOLIS – DJ Stewart smacked a grand slam in the third inning of Wednesday afternoon’s contest to open the scoring and provide the Indianapolis Indians with a lead they did not relinquish as they took down the Columbus Clippers 4-3 at Victory Field.
Indians Fall Behind Early and Drop Game Two Against Columbus 4-3
NDIANAPOLIS – Outfielder Micah Pries accounted for all the Columbus Clippers runs with his two-homer day as they knocked off the Indianapolis Indians 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field.
Burrows Bulldozes Clippers with Seven Punchies in Series Opener
INDIANAPOLIS – Mike Burrows struck out seven batters over 5.0 one-run innings, retiring each of his final seven hitters faced and not allowing a runner in scoring position following a second-inning homer, en route to a 4-1 series-opening win for the Indianapolis Indians over the Columbus Clippers at Victory Field
Series Preview: Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians, May 6-11
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians begin their third homestand of the 2025 season on Tuesday, May 6, against the Columbus Clippers, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The six-game set continues through Sunday, May 11, and is the lone visit by the Clippers to Victory Field this season. Below is
Spencer Horwitz and Dauri Moreta Have Rehab Assignments Transferred to Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that the rehab assignments of first baseman Spencer Horwitz and right-handed pitcher Dauri Moreta have been transferred to the Indianapolis Indians as they open a six-game series against the Columbus Clippers tonight at 6:35 PM. They are the third and fourth rehabbers assigned
Indianapolis Indians Announce Dinner on the Diamond, a Unique Culinary Experience coming to Victory Field on June 5
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians, in conjunction with Victory Field Events, today announced that tickets are now on sale for Dinner on the Diamond, a unique, immersive culinary experience featuring a ballpark-inspired five-course dinner hosted on the playing surface of Victory Field. The inaugural Dinner on the Diamond is set
Bubba Chandler Named International League April Pitcher of the Month
INDIANAPOLIS – Minor League Baseball today announced that right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler has been named the International League April Pitcher of the Month after he led all minor league pitchers with at least 20.0 innings in fewest hits allowed (seven) and batting average against (.106, 7-for-66). He is the first
Indians Fall Behind Early, Drop Series Finale to Omaha, 8-1
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Indianapolis Indians could not overcome a five-home run performance by the Omaha Storm Chasers and dropped the series finale, 8-1, on Sunday afternoon at Werner Park.
Indians Drop Penultimate Game of Series to Omaha
PAPILLION, Neb. – Luca Tresh hit a go-ahead solo home run in the third inning of the Indianapolis Indians 5-1 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers on Saturday night at Werner Park.
Indians Silence Storm Chasers with Two-Hit Shutout
PAPILLION, Neb. – Behind 6.0 scoreless frames from starter Braxton Ashcraft, the Indianapolis Indians blanked the Omaha Storm Chasers, 6-0, with just two hits allowed on Friday night at Werner Park.
Chandler’s Gem Propels Indians Past Omaha, 7-2
PAPILLION, Neb. – Behind Bubba Chandler’s best start of the season, the Indianapolis Indians scored in four consecutive innings to take the series lead with a 7-2 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday night at Werner Park.
Five-Run Seventh Hands Indians Series-Leveling Loss
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Indianapolis Indians built a 6-2 lead after six innings on Wednesday evening, but the Omaha Storm Chasers scored five runs in the seventh to erase the deficit and even the series at Werner Park with the 9-6 triumph.
Hall Hammers a Grand Slam to Power the Indians’ 9-7 Victory Against Omaha
PAPILLION, Neb. – Darick Hall’s first-inning grand slam gave the Indianapolis Indians a cushion they did not surrender as they staved off a late-inning comeback and took down the Omaha Storm Chasers, 9-7, on Tuesday afternoon at Werner Park.
Indians Drop the Series as St. Paul Takes Sunday’s Rubber Match 5-3
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Paul Saints jumped on the Indianapolis Indians early, scoring a run in each of the first two frames and staving off a comeback in the later innings to secure a 5-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field.
Indians Earn Eighth Comeback Win of the Season at St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn. – An RBI infield single by Nick Yorke capped off a three-run fifth inning that gave the Indianapolis Indians a 6-5 win over the St. Paul Saints on Saturday afternoon at CHS Field.
Indians Split Second Doubleheader in Three Days at St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Indianapolis Indians offense backed a stellar start from Bubba Chandler to take Game 1 of the seven-inning doubleheader at the St. Paul Saints, 10-0, on Friday night at CHS Field. Indy dropped the second contest, 3-0.
Fishers Native and Indiana University Product Matt Gorski Selected by Pittsburgh
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of Fishers, Ind. native and Indiana (Bloomington) University baseball product Matt Gorski. The outfielder is set to become the third former Indianapolis Indian and second member of the 2025 squad to make his major league debut this season, following right-handed pitcher
Indians at Saints Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians have announced that Thursday night’s game at St. Paul has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at Victory Field. An official date has not been set at this time.
Indians Split First Doubleheader of Series at St. Paul
ST PAUL, Minn. – DJ Stewart and Abrahan Gutierrez each homered to power the Indianapolis Indians to a 4-2 win in Game 2 of a seven-inning doubleheader on Wednesday night at CHS Field. The Indians dropped the opening contest, 5-1.
Five-Run First Frame Snaps Indy’s Five-Game Winning Streak
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite a season-high tying 13-hit effort from the offense, the Indianapolis Indians dropped the first game of an eight-game set to St. Paul on Tuesday afternoon at CHS Field, 16-4.
Indians Win Fifth Straight Against Mud Hens in Series Finale
INDIANAPOLIS – A three-run sixth inning broke a 6-6 tie to give the Indianapolis Indians their fifth straight win over the Toledo Mud Hens at Victory Field on Sunday afternoon, 10-6.
Gorski’s Double Dose of Homers Drives the Indians to a 6-2 Victory
INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Gorski powered the Indianapolis Indians to a 6-2 victory against the Toledo Mud Hens on Friday night at Victory Field, tallying his sixth career multi-home run game and kicking off a four-run sixth inning that propelled Indy to its first series victory of the season.
Right-Handed Pitcher Colin Holderman Begins Rehab Assignment with Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that right-handed pitcher Colin Holderman will begin a rehab assignment as the Indianapolis Indians continue this week’s six-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens at 6:35 PM. He is the second major league rehabber assigned to Indianapolis this season, following infielder Jared Triolo.
Gorski Ropes Walk-Off Double in 11th
INDIANAPOLIS – After trailing 3-0 early, the Indianapolis Indians recorded their fourth walk-off victory of the season and second against the Toledo Mud Hens with a towering, game-winning double off the bat of Fishers, Ind. native Matt Gorski in the 11th inning on Friday night at Victory Field.
Indians Score Five Unanswered Runs to Take Down Toledo
INDIANAPOLIS – Nick Solak drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single in the 6th inning to give the Indianapolis Indians a 7-6 comeback win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Thursday night at Victory Field. The Indians scored five unanswered runs to complete the comeback after trailing, 6-2,