The roar inside PNC Park on Friday night was unmistakable. Pittsburgh Pirates fans, long hungry for a glimpse of their future, finally got their wish as Bubba Chandler—the top pitching prospect in baseball—strode to the mound for his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander, fresh from a season of ups and downs in Triple-A, wasted no time making history and giving the city a taste of what might be coming for years ahead.
Chandler entered the game in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, stepping into a relief role that, while temporary, would etch his name into the record books. With the Pirates already up and Braxton Ashcraft having delivered five scoreless, one-hit innings as the starter, Chandler was tasked with holding the line. What followed was a dazzling four-inning display in which he allowed just two hits, struck out three, and saw his fastball top out at a blistering 100.4 mph. He needed just 40 pitches to record 12 outs, mowing down Rockies hitters and electrifying the home crowd.
"I blacked out in the first inning," Chandler admitted after the game, still riding the adrenaline and the remnants of his traditional pregame Red Bull. "But I just kind of heard the place go crazy." According to the Associated Press, Chandler described the experience as "kind of everything I dreamed of."
Chandler’s performance was not just impressive—it was historic. Since the save became an official statistic in 1969, only three other pitchers had ever recorded a four-inning save in their debut, and none had done it without allowing a run. Chandler became the first Pirate to ever post a save in his big-league debut, a feat that speaks volumes about both his talent and the confidence the organization has in him.
His debut capped off a 9-0 victory for the Pirates, a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a challenging season. The win marked the team’s third in four games, but the real story was Chandler’s arrival and the hope it signals for the future. MLB Pipeline currently ranks Chandler as the No. 7 prospect in all of baseball and the second-best in the Pirates’ system, trailing only Konnor Griffin. Fans have spent months waiting for this moment, and it did not disappoint.
Chandler’s journey to the majors has been marked by both promise and patience. In 24 games with the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, he posted a 5-6 record with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. For his minor league career, he holds a 26-18 record and a 3.73 ERA—numbers that reflect both his talent and the inevitable growing pains of a young pitcher. Chandler himself admitted to feeling frustrated by the timing of his call-up, especially after a dominant start to the Triple-A season. "I was mad, yeah," he said. But by the time he delivered his first big-league pitch—a 99 mph fastball fouled off by Colorado’s Orlando Arcia—he felt only gratitude. "You can complain all you want, everything. In the end, I’m here in the big leagues. There’s not a lot of 22-year-old kids that get to do this."
Chandler’s debut wasn’t flawless—Arcia doubled off him on his third pitch—but it was close. He rebounded quickly, striking out Ryan Ritter with a 100 mph heater on the outside corner, inducing a groundout from Tyler Freeman, and fanning Mickey Moniak with another triple-digit fastball. The seventh inning saw Chandler retire the Rockies in order on just seven pitches, aided by a sliding catch from centerfielder Jack Suwinski. Even when he hit Braxton Fulford to start the eighth, Chandler kept his composure, inducing a double play and then striking out Arcia with a wicked changeup. "I was like, ‘Dang, that felt good coming out of the hand, that was a great pitch,'" Chandler said, laughing.
Manager Don Kelly, who has been guiding Chandler’s transition to the majors, praised the young pitcher’s poise and stuff. The Pirates are taking a cautious approach, using Chandler out of the bullpen to ease his workload and help him adjust to the demands of the big leagues. Kelly described it as an “on ramp,” a strategy the club previously employed with Braxton Ashcraft. Chandler’s historic night pushed his season innings total to 104, inching closer to the 119 2/3 innings he threw last year—a workload the team is monitoring closely.
The Pirates’ pitching staff is suddenly brimming with possibility. Paul Skenes, the former No. 1 overall pick, has already established himself as the ace, winning NL Rookie of the Year, finishing third in Cy Young voting, and earning two All-Star nods in his first two seasons. Mitch Keller, a seven-year veteran, has quietly become one of the league’s most reliable starters, posting a 4.34 ERA in 26 starts this season. Jared Jones, who struck out 10 Marlins in his debut last year, is currently sidelined due to elbow surgery but is expected back by mid-2026. The fifth rotation spot is up for grabs, with Mike Burrows, Thomas Harrington, and Ashcraft all in the mix. Ashcraft, who has appeared in 19 games this season—mostly in relief—could seize the opportunity following the trade of Brady Falter to Kansas City.
Chandler’s arrival is widely seen as a turning point for the franchise. As one source put it, "Chandler will join Paul Skenes and others in what will become the best rotation in all of the MLB for as long as they’re all together." The Pirates have always had a knack for developing sneaky-good rotations, but with this infusion of young talent, the future looks especially bright. If all goes to plan, the 2026 rotation could feature Skenes, Keller, Jones, Chandler, and Ashcraft—a group with the potential to be the best in baseball.
Of course, the Pirates’ fortunes will depend on more than just pitching. The team’s offense has struggled mightily, and fixing that will be key to capitalizing on their wealth of arms. But for now, fans can savor the emergence of a new star and the promise of better days ahead. Chandler summed up the moment best: "The past 22 years, it’s just been ‘I want to be on a major league field’ and whether it was hitting or pitching, just wanted to be in the game and show what God gave me. And I believe I did that."
As the Pirates look ahead to the final weeks of the season and beyond, one thing is clear: the future has arrived in Pittsburgh, and it throws 100 miles per hour.
