How Pirates’ Bubba Chandler Update Affects Paul Skenes, Andrew McCutchen’s Future

Chandler's call-up has been long in the making. The 2021 third-round pick is MLB's No. 7 prospect (per MLB Pipeline), skyrocketing from No. 93 in 2024.

Chandler posted a 1.83 ERA in seven starts for Indianapolis last season, and has a 4.05 ERA in 24 Triple-A starts this season.

Chandler, who committed to Clemson for football as well as baseball, turned his athleticism into high-octane stuff. The 22-year-old showed flashes of stardom this season, including two straight starts of six shutout innings against Triple-A Louisville (Reds) and Triple-A Gwinnett (Braves) on July 4th and 10th.

Chandler will get his first looks as a bulk reliever, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf, but will likely slot into the rotation behind Skenes in 2026.

With Jared Jones possibly able to return from a May internal brace procedure on his throwing elbow early in the season, the Pirates will have a mighty 1-2-3 punch that has been anticipated for many months.

As for beloved outfielder Andrew McCutchen, a quote of his caused much speculation on his possible offseason departure from Pittsburgh to a team more likely to win a championship. After all, McCutchen did spend his six year span from 2018-2023 with the Giants, Yankees, Phillies and Brewers, teams that are now on the cusp of contention.

McCutchen made headlines on Monday, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey that "I want to win. That's all. I have to do what I need to do, too."

The 17-year veteran clarified in a response to Mackey's tweet that his quote did not hint at an imminent departure, but was meant as him taking accountability for his part in the team's disappointing campaign. McCutchen has hit to a .238/.326/.370 slashline with 11 home runs this season.

For Skenes, his 2026 campaign should be as advertised, but will the promotion of Chandler, the return of Jones, and a full year with either Don Kelly, or a different manager, cause a more contagious vibe of competition in this Pirates' clubhouse?

Time will tell. However, the move to call up Chandler could serve as the turning of a new leaf for an organization that desperately needs to get back to winning with Skenes still in tow.