The Pittsburgh Pirates today named Bubba Chandler the organization’s Bob Friend Pitcher of the Year. The announcement was made by Director of Coaching and Player Development Michael Chernow.
The 23-year-old Chandler finished second among all Pirates minor leaguers with 121 strikeouts while going 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA (100.0ip/45er) in 24 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Chandler entered the 2025 campaign rated by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 prospect. At the time of his promotion to Pittsburgh on August 22, he was rated by both MLB Pipeline (No. 7) and Baseball America (No. 15) as a top-15 prospect in all of baseball. Chandler’s 121 strikeouts at the time of his promotion were also the most among all Pirates minor leaguers and the third-most among all pitchers at the Triple-A level.
The Pirates selected Chandler in the third round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of North Oconee High School in Bogart, Georgia. He was ranked as the 20th-best prospect in that year’s draft, according to Baseball America.
Chandler began working exclusively as a pitcher in 2023 after spending his first two professional seasons (2021-22) as a two-way player. He finished the 2023 campaign ranked third among all Pirates minor leaguers in strikeouts (128), while also being one of just 13 pitchers to reach Double-A at 20 years old or younger.
Chandler entered the 2024 season ranked 59th among Baseball America’s top-100 prospects during his final full season in the minor leagues. He represented the Pirates organization at the All-Star Futures Game, while also being tabbed by Baseball America as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.
Since making his first professional appearance as a pitcher in 2022, Chandler leads all Pirates farmhands in strikeouts (457) and wins (26).