The Pirates drew significant scrutiny for how they handled Bubba Chandler during the 2025 season. By May 1, the right-hander had dominated at Triple-A with a 1.42 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 36:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, making a strong case for a promotion.
Instead, he remained in the minors, and his performance began to unravel as command issues surfaced. Over the following three-plus months, Chandler walked 4 or more batters in 6 of 18 starts while posting a 1.75 WHIP and an 85:46 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 74 2/3 innings.
Pittsburgh eventually promoted him in late August after preserving his rookie eligibility earlier in the season. Once he reached the majors, Chandler largely validated the excitement surrounding his profile.
Aside from a difficult outing on Sept. 7 against the Brewers, when he allowed 9 earned runs on 9 hits with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks in 2 2/3 innings, he was dominant. Removing that start, Chandler produced a 1.57 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, and an exceptional 28:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 28 2/3 innings across 6 appearances.
Bubba Chandler’s Strengths, Weaknesses, and 2026 Fantasy Baseball Projections
Chandler’s strengths stem from his high-octane arsenal and physical durability. The 23-year-old features 3 plus pitches, highlighted by a 99-mph fastball, a 92-mph changeup, and an 89-mph slider.
While the fastball and slider have long been viewed as potential swing-and-miss weapons, his changeup proved especially effective in his first exposure to major-league hitters, generating a 39.6% whiff rate. His 6-foot-3 frame and track record of throwing more than 110 innings in 3 consecutive seasons suggest the foundation of a durable starter capable of handling a full workload.
The primary concern remains command consistency. His midseason struggles at Triple-A were driven by elevated walk totals, and those issues have surfaced again early in spring training.
Chandler has walked 7 batters across just 3 innings in 2 exhibition appearances, including issuing free passes to the first 2 hitters he faced in his most recent outing. While the Pirates still appear committed to giving him a rotation spot, those command fluctuations highlight the developmental risk that often accompanies young power pitchers.
Entering 2026, Chandler projects as a high-upside starter capable of delivering strong strikeout totals and frontline production if his command stabilizes. With his velocity, pitch mix, and workload potential, he has the tools to emerge as one of the league’s most exciting young arms, though some inconsistency should be expected as he continues refining his control.
As far as pitcher hierarchy for fantasy baseball points leagues, I rank him at Tier 7 under Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, and Paul Skenes, among others, and higher than Tatsuya Imai, Luis Castillo, and Shota Imanaga.
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