Bubba Chandler made his highly anticipated MLB debut out of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen, but he won’t necessarily work the same role all September.
MLB.com’s No. 7 prospect pitched four scoreless innings as a reliever on Friday, recording a save in Pittsburgh’s 9-0 win over the Colorado Rockies. Following Chandler’s sensational debut, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington discussed the possibility of the 22-year-old working his way into the rotation this season.
“He can earn it,” Cherington said Sunday, per MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf. “It’s not going to be guaranteed. We were open to him that this is the role now. Doesn’t mean you can’t earn starts at some point. That could be September or whenever. We will let [manager Don Kelly] guide that going forward. Trying to keep him in the same mindset we are trying to all the young pitchers in: When it’s their turn to pitch, get outs, get as many outs as you can until Donnie comes and takes the ball away from you. Help the team win, and we’ll plan for the next one.”
Before his call-up, Chandler’s command waned at Triple-A Indianapolis. The right-hander issued 53 walks in 100 innings, including five in his last start on Aug. 16.
Those issues vanished in the big leagues, as Chandler permitted zero walks for the first time since April 25. The former third-round pick recorded a dozen outs in just 40 pitches, allowing two hits and registering three strikeouts at PNC Park.
Story continues below advertisement
Chandler followed Braxton Ashcraft, who tossed five scoreless frames in his third start since moving from the bullpen. Chandler could take a similar path in September to join Paul Skenes and Co. in a young rotation looking to build momentum for next season.
More Pirates: Bubba Chandler Makes MLB History In Dazzling Pirates Debut
Featured image via Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images