Bubba Chandler

Active

Pittsburgh Pirates · Pitcher

Age 236' 3" · 206 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

The 23-year-old right-hander enters 2026 as a promising young arm for the Pirates with legitimate upside in strikeouts, posting 73 K across 79.1 innings this season while maintaining a respectable 0.93 WHIP in his brief 2025 debut. However, his early MLB results reveal volatility, with an ERA ballooning to 4.42 and a 3-7 record suggesting inconsistency in pitch execution and run support—factors that limit his immediate fantasy appeal in win-loss categories. Chandler's minor league pedigree as a Baseball America All-Star and INT Pitcher of the Month selectee indicates the tools are present for a breakout, making him a speculative dynasty asset or late-round autograph league target for patient owners willing to weather growing pains. The strikeout upside remains the primary fantasy draw, but fantasy managers should temper win expectations until the Pirates' offense improves or Chandler tightens his control going forward.

News Updates

Bubba Chandler fans six but takes loss
Pittsburgh pitcher Bubba Chandler (3-8) took the loss Tuesday against Philadelphia, surrendering five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings. The Pirates were shut out 8-0 in a dominant performance by the Phillies.
Jul 1, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2025	Pittsburgh Pirates	7	4	4	1	1	4.02	0.93	31	31.1	4
2026	Pittsburgh Pirates	18	17	3	8	0	4.82	1.44	79	89.2	52
Career	Totals	25	21	7	9	1	4.61	1.31	110	121	56

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	2 teams▼	14	11	1	1	0	2.61	1.23	60	41.1	28
2023	2 teams▼	25	25	10	4	0	4.54	1.44	128	111	51
2024	2 teams▼	26	23	10	7	1	3.08	1.02	148	119.2	41
2025	Indianapolis Indians	24	24	5	6	0	4.05	1.48	121	100.0	53
Career	Totals	89	83	26	18	1	3.73	1.29	457	372	173

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo98.4 mph

Avg Spin2351 rpm

Whiff %22.6%

K %19.8%

BB %13.0%

Hard Hit %37.1%

Barrel %6.8%

xERA4.28

xBA Against0.229

xSLG Against0.376

BA Against0.227

SLG Against0.378

GB%37.6%

FB%28.9%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2025

Pittsburgh Pirates

4.02

0.93

31.1

2026

Pittsburgh Pirates

4.82

1.44

89.2

Career

Totals

4.61

1.31

110

121

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

2 teams▼

2.61

1.23

41.1

2023

2 teams▼

4.54

1.44

128

111

2024

2 teams▼

3.08

1.02

148

119.2

2025

Indianapolis Indians

4.05

1.48

121

100.0

Career

Totals

3.73

1.29

457

372

173