Bubba Chandler

Roy Ruben "Bubba" Chandler (born September 14, 2002) is an American baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Bubba Chandler
Chandler with the FCL Pirates in 2022
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pitcher
Born: (2002-09-14) September 14, 2002
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Bats: Both
Throws: Right

Amateur career

Chandler lives in Bogart, Georgia, and attended North Oconee High School, where he was a member of the baseball and football teams.[1] He started on the varsity basketball team during his freshman and sophomore years and was also a member of the golf team before focusing on football and baseball.[2][3] Chandler was initially only recruited by college baseball programs and committed to play at the University of Georgia going into his junior year of high school after posting a 7–0 record with 55 strikeouts in 41+1⁄3 innings as a pitcher and batting .356 with 14 doubles and 25 RBIs the previous season.[4][5]

During his junior football season, Chandler completed 167 of 220 passing attempts for 2,098 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 505 yards and four touchdowns. In baseball, he batted .435 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs and struck out 16 batters in seven innings pitched before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.[6] Later in the year, Chandler decommitted from Georgia and then committed to play both college football and baseball at Clemson.[7] During the summer he gained 35 pounds and developed a slider after studying Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker.[8] As a senior, Chandler was named the Region 8 4A Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 1,842 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 548 yards and six touchdowns.[9] During his senior baseball season he was also established himself as one of the best two-way prospects in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.[10][11] Chandler finished his senior baseball season with an 8–1 record and a 1.25 ERA with 96 strikeouts over 44+2⁄3 innings pitched and also batted .411 with 12 doubles, eight home runs, 35 RBIs, and 41 runs scored.[12]

Professional career

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Chandler in the third round, with the 72nd overall pick, in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[13] He signed with Pittsburgh on July 21, 2021, for an over slot signing bonus of $3 million.[14] After signing with the team Chandler was assigned to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Pirates, where he played in 11 games as a shortstop and designated hitter and batted .167.[15]

Chandler returned to the Florida Complex League Pirates after beginning the 2022 season in extended spring training.[16] He was promoted to the Bradenton Marauders of the Single-A Florida State League.[17] Chandler decided to give up playing shortstop and focus solely on pitching entering the 2023 season.[18]

References
  1. "Clemson extends new quarterback offer to Georgia baseball commit". The State. May 8, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  2. Britt, Southern (February 11, 2020). "Chandler, North Oconee athletes benefit from playing multiple sports". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  3. Cubit, Alexis (June 16, 2021). "What will he do? Clemson QB signee expected to face multimillion-dollar decision". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  4. Raynor, Grace (May 19, 2020). "Not ranked as a football recruit, 2-sport star Bubba Chandler is still in demand". The Athletic. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. "Will North Oconee's Bubba Chandler be an MLB draftee or two-sport college athlete?". The Augusta Chronicle. May 12, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  6. "Clemson focuses on two-sport star in its quarterback search for 2021". The Post and Courier. May 11, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  7. VanHaaren, Tom (May 20, 2020). "Bubba Chandler makes jump from Georgia baseball to Clemson QB sans in-person visit". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  8. "Bubba Chandler is in a unique situation".
  9. "Clemson football or MLB draft? Bubba Chandler has a big decision". The Post and Courier. May 22, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  10. "Two-Way Clemson Commit Bubba Chandler Is One Of 2021 MLB Draft's biggest risers". Baseball America. May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  11. "Bubba Chandler status rising for MLB Draft 2021". Athens Banner-Herald. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  12. Gorman, Kevin (July 22, 2021). "After choosing Pirates over Clemson, Bubba Chandler says he's 'only scratched the surface'". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  13. "MLB Draft: Pittsburgh Pirates pick Clemson QB Bubba Chandler". Raleigh News & Observer. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. Crouse, Jake (July 22, 2021). "Bucs sign Clemson QB recruit Chandler". MLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  15. "Pirates Pipeline: Nearing potential MLB debut, Travis Swaggerty prioritizing process over results". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 6, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  16. "Bubba Chandler sticking out in Florida Complex League as he waits for Pirates to promote him". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 28, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  17. "Pirates farm report for Aug. 16, 2022: Bubba Chandler, Anthony Solometo combine on shutout for Bradenton". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  18. Dykstra, Sam (February 28, 2023). "Pirates' Chandler going all in on pitching". MLB.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
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