PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A second straight Pirates selection committed to play football at a big-time program. Bucs take right-handed pitcher and shortstop Bubba Chandler, who has a scholarship offer to play quarterback at Clemson. He would also play baseball.
The Georgia native is 6’3”, 200 pounds, a switch-hitter with solid power potential and speed according to MLB.com. As a pitcher, raised his fastball a couple of miles an hour in 2021 and can touch 97 mph.
“I just like playing baseball,” Chandler told MLB.com about his preference of being a pitcher or fielder. “We will see what will happen with everything. I just enjoy playing whether it’s every or pitching, hitting, whatever it is. Baseball is a great game, being on the field is amazing.”
MLB.com had Chandler ranked as the 21st best prospect. MLB Network calls him one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. There are questions about his sign-ability because of his options at Clemson.
“Yesterday was a little stressful, but God has a plan,” Chandler told MLB.com. “I followed that plan and prayed a lot last night. Everything is going to work out.”
“I’m only 18-years-old and if you would have told me a year ago that I would be in this situation. I would have told you, you were crazy. Everything works out for a reason and I’m glad to be a Pittsburgh Pirate.”
And he means it too. Chandler has already changed his Instagram and Twitter handle to reflect it.
It’s the second straight player the Pirates selected with football options, the second round competitive balance pick, Lonnie White, Junior could play both at Penn State.