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.
Marauders Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Bradenton Marauders announced their managerial and coaching assignments for the upcoming 2025 season. Jim Horner returns to the Marauders in 2025 for his second season as manager of the club, and sixth year in the Pirates organization. Horner’s résumé is as decorated and diverse as they
Marauders Announce 2025 Season Schedule
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Bradenton Marauders, Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, have announced their schedule for the 2025 Florida State League season. The season will consist of 132 games, including 66 home games and 66 road games. Each Monday will be a league-wide off day. Note that all dates
Marauders Walked-Off for Second-Straight Night in Season-Finale
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —In their season-finale at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the Daytona Tortugas walked-off the Bradenton Marauders 2-1 on Sunday night. After a weather delay of about an hour and a half, the Marauders and Tortugas took the field. In his final start of the season, Zander Mueth walked three
Marauders-Tortugas Split Doubleheader on Saturday Night
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —After the Bradenton Marauders outlasted the Daytona Tortugas 10-5 in the continuation of a suspended game, the Tortugas walked-off the Marauders 5-4 in seven-innings on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Both sides resumed a suspended seven-inning game from Friday night with the Marauders ahead 6-2 in
Valdez Ties Franchise Record as Game Halted Due to Weather
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —Game one of a doubleheader on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark between the Bradenton Marauders and Daytona Tortugas was suspended in the bottom of the fourth with the Marauders ahead 6-2. After an hour and 43-minute rain delay, the Marauders took the early lead in the
Thursday Night’s Contest Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Thursday night’s regularly scheduled contest at Jackie Robinson Ballpark between the Bradenton Marauders and Daytona Tortugas has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, September 6, featuring two seven-inning games beginning at 5:00 pm.
All Hail to the King: Valdez Mashes Two Longballs to Become FSL Home Run Leader
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhonny Severio combined to club four home runs for the Bradenton Marauders as they down the Daytona Tortugas 8-6 on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bradenton led from start to finish and opened up the game’s scoring in the first. Keiner Delgado
Seven Hits Not Enough in 7-2 Loss on Monday
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — In their first meeting since April 21, the Bradenton Marauders dropped their series opener 7-2 to the Daytona Tortugas on Monday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Tortugas struck first beginning in the second inning against Zander Mueth (1-3). The right-hander hit a batter and walked
On to Daytona: Marauders Downed 18-4 in Home Finale
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders closed out their 2024 home schedule with an 18-4 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park. Bradenton plated two runs in the opening inning against Andrew Landry. Will Taylor singled and stole second before Landry retired the
Bradenton Drops Both Games in a Doubleheader on Saturday
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders fell in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday night at LECOM Park to the Tampa Tarpons by a score of 7-3 and 5-1 in eight innings. In game one, Tampa struck for a pair of runs in the first inning for the second-straight
Not So Friendly Friday: Tarpons Topple Marauders 9-6
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders fell behind early and ultimately dropped Friday night’s contest at LECOM Park by a score of 9-6 to the Tampa Tarpons. Tampa jumped ahead in the top of the first against Antwone Kelly (1-6). Roderick Arias singled, stole second base and then scored on
Marauders Topped by Tarpons 6-3 on Thursday Night
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Maruaders dropped Thursday night’s contest at LECOM Park 6-3 to the Tampa Tarpons. Both sides were scheduled to play a doubleheader before a lengthy rain delay of three hours and 29 minutes forcing both teams into playing just one nine inning contest. After Connor Wietgrefe
Four Marauders Named to Florida Complex League All-Star Team
BRADENTON, FL — On Thursday afternoon, Minor League Baseball announced the league awards and All-Star teams for the three leagues that make up the Rookie-level classification. The list featured five total FCL Pirates players with four currently playing for the Single-A Bradenton Marauders. Starting pitcher Zander Mueth headlined the list
Wednesday Night’s Contest Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
BRADENTON, FL — Wednesday night’s regularly scheduled contest at LECOM Park between the Bradenton Marauders and Tampa Tarpons has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, August 29 featuring two seven-inning games beginning at 4:30 pm. Gates will
Around the Horn: Severino Hits for First Cycle in Marauders' Franchise History
BRADENTON, FL — Jhonny Severino collected four hits in four trips en route to the Bradenton Marauders’ first cycle in franchise history in a 7-2 win over the Tampa Tarpons on Tuesday night at LECOM Park. Severino nearly hit for the natural cycle, tallying a single in the first inning,
Offense Awakens Late, Fall in Series-Finale 5-2 on Sunday
LAKELAND, FL — The Bradenton Marauders offense awakened late, scoring two runs in the ninth but ultimately fell 5-2 on Sunday afternoon to the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. With the loss, Bradenton and Lakeland split this week’s six-game series. Both sides received strong starting
How Sweep It Is: Marauders Win Both Games in Lakeland on Saturday Night
LAKELAND, FL — For the first time in 2024, the Bradenton Marauders sweep a doubleheader, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers 3-2 in eight innings in game one and 4-3 in game two on Saturday afternoon at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. In game one, Bradenton jumped ahead in the
Friday Night’s Contest in Lakeland Postponed Due to Rain
LAKELAND, FL — Friday night’s regularly scheduled contest between the Bradenton Marauders and Lakeland Flying Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium was postponed due to inclement weather. The Marauders and Flying Tigers will play a doubleheader on Saturday with game one beginning at 4:00 pm. First pitch is
Strong Pitching Pushes Bradenton Ahead to 4-2 Victory
LAKELAND, FL — For the first time since June 25, 2023, the Bradenton Marauders pick up a win at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-2 on Thursday night. Bradenton had lost their previous eight games in Lakeland going back to last season. For the
Marauders Drop Second-Straight on Wednesday Night in Lakeland
LAKELAND, FL — The Bradenton Marauders dropped their second-straight contest to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, falling 7-4 on Wednesday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Bradenton’s offense started out hot again, plating runs in three of the first four innings. In the first, the first three batters reached
Bats Record Hot Start, Cool Off Late in Loss on Tuesday Night
LAKELAND, FL — The Lakeland Flying Tigers’ pitching staff retired the final 19 batters to end the contest to defeat the Bradenton Marauders 10-3 on Tuesday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Bradenton and Lakeland each exchanged leads in the early innings with Bradenton scoring right out of
Dominant Pitching Powers Bradenton to 2-1 Victory
BRADENTON, FL — Three Bradenton Marauders pitchers combined to limit the Dunedin Blue Jays to one run over nine innings to help secure a 2-1-win Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park. Bradenton jumped on the board early after Keiner Delgado singled with one out in the bottom of the first. With
Early Offense Leads Bradenton to 6-4 Win Over Dunedin
BRADENTON, FL — After scoring five runs through the first three innings, the Bradenton Marauders beat the Dunedin Blue Jays by a final score of 6-4, snapping their five-game losing streak Saturday night at LECOM Park. With two outs and nobody on in the top of the first, Dunedin struck
Five-Run Fifth Paces Dunedin in Fourth Straight Win Over Bradenton
BRADENTON, FL — Despite an early 3-0 lead, the Bradenton Marauders allowed six unanswered runs to the Dunedin Blue Jays, who won their fourth-straight game by a final score of 6-3 Friday night at LECOM Park. In the bottom of the first inning, Bradenton threatened with runners on second and
Taylor’s Grand Slam Not Enough, Blue Jays Win Late for Second Consecutive Night
BRADENTON, FL —In a game that featured four different lead changes, the Bradenton Marauders fell short as the Dunedin Blue Jays win their third-straight against Bradenton by a score of a 6-5 on Thursday night at LECOM Park. The Blue Jays opened up the scoring in the top of the