Bubba Chandler’s spring debut against the Yankees was a quintessential glimpse into the life of a Pirates prospect: moments of brilliance followed by a reminder that raw talent needs refinement to truly shine.
Chandler showcased his impressive arsenal, with a fastball consistently in the upper-90s, even hitting triple digits. His slider, meanwhile, had hitters guessing, underscoring why he's seen as a potential cornerstone of the rotation.
However, the second inning was a different story. His final line (1.2 IP, 0 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) reveals the struggle, but the sequence of events paints a clearer picture: a smooth first inning quickly gave way to control issues in the second, resulting in four walks out of six batters.
For those looking to interpret this outing, remember: don’t overreact to a single spring box score, but do pay attention to the underlying process.
Chandler’s performance hit a snag with a 60 percent ball rate over 35 pitches. Notably, his four-seam fastball found the zone just 16% of the time, while his slider was far more reliable at 75%. The heater, typically his strongest pitch, was elusive, while the slider, often harder to command, did its job.
This year, Chandler's development hinges on fastball command. If he finds it, he could become a force on the mound, pressuring opponents to score early. Without it, he faces stress-filled outings.
Pirates manager Don Kelly noted that Chandler was “amped up,” but emphasized that he emerged healthy and will adjust. This is the right mindset for February. The Pirates aren’t looking for spring training victories; they need Chandler to harness his adrenaline and avoid erratic fastball placements.
The potential is undeniable, but so is the work ahead. Until Chandler consistently places his fastball with intent, he’ll continue to ride the fine line between being unhittable and unpredictable.