Chandler’s biggest opponent: Control

Hits don’t kill pitchers. Walks do.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler is electric. Just look at Rob Friedman, also known as @PitchingNinja on Twitter. Chandler has been featured in several of his “filthy pitches” montages during his start Monday against the Padres.

Chandler is the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball. The former Clemson football quarterback commit has taken the organization by storm, topping out in the triple digits with his fastball and featuring a 94 mph changeup with significant movement.

However, his Achilles’ heel? Free passes.

Through two starts and 8 2/3 innings in 2026, Chandler has issued 10 walks. In his start against the Padres, all three of the earned runs he allowed reached base via a walk.

In 31 1/3 innings as a September call-up in 2025, Chandler issued just four walks. However, it has become a problem in 2026. He walked 11 batters in 11 innings during Grapefruit League play. Combined between spring training and the regular season, Chandler has pitched 19 2/3 innings and walked 21 batters.

This is a problem.

Yes, there will be growing pains for a young pitcher. However, in his starts this season, many of Chandler’s misses have been well above the zone with his fastball. Throwing 100 mph and being one of the hardest-throwing starters in the majors is impressive, but hitters won’t chase pitches out of the zone if he continues to miss high.

Monday marked the first time since the Pirates were in New York that a starter allowed more than two runs. The good news is that both the Pirates and Chandler have time for the young right-hander to refine his mechanics and release point. The rotation has still not allowed a home run.

But the window is open for the Pirates. The front office has begun to spend, and Paul Skenes’ time in a Pirates uniform will be limited to his initial contract.

Pittsburgh’s first-year pitching coach, Bill Murphy, is known for his work with young pitchers, having served as the Houston Astros’ pitching coach from 2021-25. His résumé includes names such as Christian Javier, Hunter Brown and Luis Garcia.

Time will tell how Murphy will impact the Pirates’ young staff. He will work with two rookies in Chandler and Ashcraft, along with veteran Mitch Keller, Jared Jones returning from Tommy John surgery, and Paul Skenes. Carmen Mlodzinski is also in the mix.

Chandler must find a way to cut down on the walks. Pitchers cannot succeed while allowing that many free bases. The potential is there.