'Keep it simple': Bubba Chandler flashes elite heat, regains form in unique outing

BRADENTON, Fla. — As Paul Skenes’ regular catcher, life can sometimes feel like a video game for Henry Davis. He calls a pitch, and it’s there. With little deviation.

It was the same thing with Bubba Chandler on Thursday … only this time it felt like Davis’ controller had a button stuck. The Pirates catcher called 18 consecutive fastballs for Chandler, and the results turned out to be exactly what MLB Pipeline's second-highest-rated pitching prospect needed.

After struggling to control his heater through his first three Grapefruit League outings, walking 10 in six innings, Chandler had a completely different feel for the pitch during a 5-2 victory over the Braves at LECOM Park.

And Chandler just kept throwing heaters.

“I actually said to a couple guys, ‘I’m gonna see how many in a row I can call,’ ” Davis said.

Two reasons, Davis explained.

One was Chandler’s struggles commanding the pitch, a storyline that has followed him throughout Spring Training. The other was simple math.

“Anybody can pull up the numbers,” Davis said. “98 [mph] and 18 [or more inches of vertical break] doesn’t really get hit.

“I kinda said, ‘Get the heater across the white, and we’ll be good.’”

Chandler breezed through the first two innings, requiring just 17 pitches. Fourteen landed for strikes, while he racked up five whiffs and four strikeouts. It was clear something was different.

After another heater to open the third, Chandler finally deviated and threw a changeup to Sandy Leon and eventually punched out the Braves catcher with a curveball at the top of the zone.

“It’s still Spring Training,” Davis said. “Maybe in a regular game we’d keep throwing it.”

The lone run against Chandler came in the third, when he left a slider up to Jair Camargo. Atlanta’s designated hitter lined it at 112.6 mph over the left-field fence for a solo homer and a 1-0 lead.

It did not affect Chandler. Following the home run, Chandler struck out left fielder Patrick Clohisy on a heater high and out of the zone. To open the fourth, Chandler got shortstop Jorge Mateo to swing through a 99 mph fastball in the zone before forcing third baseman Kyle Farmer to wave at a slider out of the zone.

All told, it was a hugely productive day for Chandler: five innings pitched, the home run allowed, one walk and eight strikeouts.

Chandler threw 66 pitches, 47 for strikes and generated 15 whiffs. Of those 66 pitches, 49 were four-seam fastballs, a nod to an area of his game that he certainly improved against the Braves.

“Plans aren't a thing,” Chandler said. “Throw the first pitch, every plan goes out the window. Whatever Henry called, I threw. It felt good coming out.”

The outing was certainly encouraging for Pirates fans, who are counting on a lot from Chandler this season. The 23-year-old is very much in the National League Rookie of the Year conversation if he can pitch like this.

Doubtful Chandler goes so fastball-heavy from here out; his slider (.087 batting average against in 2025) and changeup (.080) performed at an elite level last season and looked every bit as devastating against the Braves.

But you just never know.

“Just wanted to hone the focus and keep it simple,” Davis said. “Keep calling ‘em until they hit it, I guess.”

Comeback time

The Pirates improved their Spring Training record to 13-6 thanks to a five-run rally in the eighth. Alika Williams finished with two hits and a pair of RBIs and is now 6-for-14 (.429) with a home run and five RBIs in his last eight contests.

“That was awesome,” Williams said. “Even though it’s Spring Training, it’s nice to get a hit in a situation like that.”

Minor League callup Yordany De Los Santos upped his average to .545 (6-for-11) after singling in his only at-bat.

Horwitz reflects

The Pirates had a familiar face in their lineup again Thursday: Spencer Horwitz, who started at first base and hit leadoff. Horwitz was away playing for Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic, an event he experienced for the second time.

Horwitz called the atmosphere “a little more intense” this year than when he participated in 2023, primarily because of raucous fans from Venezuela. He was also impressed with the amount of national attention the WBC has gotten.

“I think it’s great for baseball,” said Horwitz, who went 4-for-16 (.250) in four games, tying for the team lead with three runs scored.

“It’s truly back to the roots of baseball, for the love of the game, playing for your family. … You could really see it with guys and their passion.”

The signature moment for Horwitz came on Monday, when he and Oneil Cruz homered in the fourth inning of the same game. Horwitz hit his 104.4 compared to 115.8 mph for Cruz, which apparently led to some trash-talking in the dugout.

“We were joking and making faces to each other in the dugout,” Horwitz said. “He’s doing great in spring, in the Classic, and showing all the hard work he put in this offseason.”

In discussing the WBC, Horwitz said he sensed more buy-in from players and excitement from fans, showing “how great of a spot baseball is in right now.”

Horwitz also felt much different at the World Baseball Classic this time around. Essentially, that his stomach wasn’t in knots.

“I remember my first game [in 2023], I was shaking in my boots,” he said. “I was really nervous. It felt like a debut. This time, I could see that with a lot of younger guys.

“I was just trying to help them, knowing it can be intimidating with the fans and drums. It’s a lot. I felt more prepared and helped some younger guys, too.”