Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook here!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
1. Termarr Johnson, 2B / SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 60/70 | 50/60 | 50/40 | 55 | 55 | 70 |
Background: Benjamin Elijah Mays High School, located in Atlanta, Georgia, has churned out an impressive collection of athletes and celebrities throughout the years, including: NBA shooting guard / small forward Gerald Wilkins, NFL players Tyrell Adams, Natrez Patrick and Reggie Wilkes, former Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and – easily the most famous – singer / actress Rozonda Thomas, a.k.a. Chili from TLC. Middle infielder Termarr Johnson is slated to become the best baseball player to come from the school’s hallowed halls. A mighty mite that’s well known on the baseball circuits, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound lefty-swinging infielder has already put together an impressive resume: he slugged a scorching .375/.483/.542 with a trio of extra-base knocks on Team USA’s U15 Gold Medal-winning squad in 2019. Two years later he finished third at the All-Star High School Homerun Derby, trailing only Jared Jones (committed to LSU) and Sal Stewart (committed to Vanderbilt). Johnson, who committed to Arizona State University, led Benjamin Elijah Mays to the state playoffs, though they fell to North Oconee in the first round. Pittsburgh happily snagged the offensive dynamo in the opening round, 4th overall, and signed him to a deal worth $7,219,000 – the third highest bonus given out last July. Johnson appeared in 23 games between the Complex League and Bradenton, hitting an aggregate .222/.366/.365.
Scouting Report: Per the usual, my pre-draft write-up:
“Advanced approach at the plate, well beyond his years. Johnson combines a patient approach with tremendous bat-to-ball skills, and the potential to slug 25 homeruns in the professional ranks. He’s the most well-rounded high school bat I’ve seen since writing about prep prospects. Silky smooth swing, strong wrists just flick the ball around the diamond. Average speed and arm, but he moves well with plus agility and a quick release to compensate. He’s tabbed to slide over to second base. There’s a little bit of Joe Morgan here, though minus the speed.”
Ceiling: 6.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2025/2026
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Endy Rodriguez, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 55/60 | 35 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Background: The Pirates, Mets, and Padres got together for a good, old fashioned three-team deal in mid-January two years ago. The details of the trade: the Padres received Joe Musgrove; the Mets acquired Joey Lucchesi, and the Pirates were handed David Bednar, Omar Cruz, Drake Fellows, Hudson Head, and Endy Rodriguez. The sole prospect / player New York dealt away in the trade, Rodriguez has blossomed into one of the better catching prospects in the minor leagues. Pittsburgh sent the Santiago, Dominican Republic native to their Low-A affiliate months after acquiring him. And Rodriguez did what he’s always done: hit. He batted a rock solid .294/.380/.512 with 25 doubles, six triples, 15 homeruns, and a pair of stolen based in only 98 games. Then they let him loose on the rest of the minor leagues in 2022. Rodriguez dominated the High-A competition to the tune of .302/.392/.544, looked Ruthian during his 31-game cameo in Double-A (.356/.442/.678), and promptly went 10-for-22 in his six-game cameo with Indianapolis. The 6-foot, 170-pound backstop finished his second season in Pittsburgh’s farm system with an aggregate .323/.407/.590 with 39 doubles, four triples, 25 homeruns, and – just for good measure – four stolen bases. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, surpassed the league average mark by a massive 66%.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only three 22-year-old hitters posted a 145 to 155 wRC+ with a double-digit walk rate and a 19% to 23% strikeout rate in any High-A league (min. 350 PA): Tyler Flowers, Kyle Parker, and Endy Rodriguez. His 166 wRC+ wRC+ total was the fifth highest mark in the minor leagues among all hitters with at least 250 plate appearances. FYI: there were 1,251 players that met that criteria.
An average pitch-framer with improving defense that’s bumped up from slightly below-average to better than average; Rodriguez was an absolute force to be reckoned with at the plate. Above-average hit tool and power, strong contact and walk rates, and enough leather and mobility to stick behind the dish. Oh, yeah, he’s a switch-hitter as well. Not only is Rodriguez a good breaking ball hitter, but he hits good breaking balls – consistently. Very natural hitter with an easy swing that generates a ton of power. In terms of big league ceiling, think: .290/.340/460.
Ceiling: 5.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Henry Davis, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 60 | 40/35 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Background: Despite most remembering the club’s massive swing-and-miss atop the 2002 when they selected Ball State ace Bryan Bullington, the Pirates have generally done well when they’ve been equipped with the first overall pick. In 1986 they selected University of Arkansas infielder Jeff King, who would go onto a solid 11-year big league career (though Greg Swindell, Matt Williams, Kevin Brown, and Gary Sheffield were taken immediately after). Ten years later that chose Clemson University ace Kris Benson, who pitched in the big leagues for nine years and tallied nearly $30,000,000 in career earnings. Then, of course, Pittsburgh used the top pick in the 2011 summer draft for UCLA ace Gerrit Cole, who needs no introduction or background. And, on the other hand, the club’s been able to unearth a pair of above-average backstops in the first round as well. Jason Kendall, the 23rd overall pick in 1992, put together a borderline Hall of Fame career. Twelve years later they nabbed high school catcher-turned-big-league infielder Neil Walker with the 11th overall pick. Pittsburgh fans are hoping that Davis’s name can be added to both lists. A four-year letter winner at Fox Lane High School, Davis made the move to the ACC with aplomb as he batted a rock solid .280/.345/.386 in 45 games as a true freshman in 2019. The following year the 6-foot-2, 210-pound backstop was in the midst of a massive breakout campaign before the COVID pandemic derailed it, slugging .372/.481/.663 with eight extra-base knocks in 14 games for the Cardinals. Shockingly, Davis as able to maintain that same level of production across a full season in 2021: he bashed .370/.483/.663 with nine doubles, 15 homeruns, and 10 stolen bases (in only 13 attempts). After Pittsburgh grabbed with him with the top overall pick and signed him to a deal worth $6.5 million, Davis slugged .308/.387/.808 in eight low level games. Last season, the front office sent their prized prospect straight up to High-A, but after mashing .342/.450/.585 through 22 games, he was deemed ready for the minors’ most challenging level – Double-A. After just two games, though, Davis hit the disabled list for a month, made a couple brief rehab assignments, and finally found his way back to Altoona in mid-June. After a difficult 15-game stretch, the former first rounder hit the disabled list again for more than six weeks. He closed out the year by hitting .241/.328/.407 over his final 14 games with the Curve. Overall, Davis finished the year with an aggregate .264/.380/.472 mark with 12 doubles, one triple, 10 homeruns, and nine stolen bases. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, was 36% better than average. Davis spent fall with the Surprise Saguaros, hitting .260/.435/.440.
Scouting Report: Davis was caught up in a bit of a hullabaloo this offseason – through no fault of his own. MLB Pipeline wrote an article, which was eventually removed / appended that listed Davis, the 2021 #1 overall pick, as the most overrated prospect in the game. But is that really the case? Let’s take a look…
- #1. Davis got off to a hellacious start to the year, slugging .342/.450/.585 with strong contacts rates and zero red flags during his first 22 games in High-A at the start of the year. His production, as measured by Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 80% during that stretch.
- #2. Pittsburgh promptly pushes him up to Double-A – with just 30 professional games under his belt – and he goes 1-for-2 with a dinger, a walk, and a HBP during his first game. Two days later he hits the disabled list for a month with a wrist injury.
- #3. One he comes off the DL, he struggled significantly and hit the injury list two weeks after coming back with a…wrist injury. He spent another six weeks on the bench. Including his time in the Arizona Fall League, he batted .250/.381/.423
So, is he really overrated or was he just hurt? He was clearly hurt. Buy into the dip. Plus in-game power, average hit tool, average patience, and strong contact rates. Defensively, he won’t win any Gold Gloves, but he does enough to remain a competent catcher. He’s still tracking like a .270/.340/.450 hitter with 25-homerun thump.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023/2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Michael Burrows, RHP
| FB | CB | CH | Command | Overall |
| 65 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Background: When it comes to most organizations, Mike Burrows, a former 11th round Bonus Baby, would stand atop the list of their best prospects. In the Pirates’ bountiful farm system, he’s merely another name, another cog in what should become their re-emergence in the coming years. A product of Connecticut-based Waterford High School, Burrows really came into his own after a dominant showing in High-A two years ago. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander averaged an impressive 12.1 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings across 13 starts with Greensboro. The only thing that slowed him that year was an oblique injury, which knocked him out for roughly two months. Last season, Burrows kept his foot on the developmental accelerator as he breezed through 12 strong starts with Altoona and settled in nicely for another 12 appearances with Indianapolis in Triple-A. Overall, the former late round prep star struck out 111 versus just 31 walks across a career best 94.1 innings of work. He finished the year with an aggregate 4.01 ERA and a sparkling 3.29 FIP.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, here’s the list of 22-year-old hurlers that posted a 30% to 34% strikeout percentage with an 8% to 10% walk percentage in any Double-A league (min. 50 IP): Josh Hader, Yordano Ventura, Mike Minor, A.J. Puk, Brayan Bello, Jose De Leon, Tony Sipp, Daniel Herrera, and – of course – Mr. 11th rounder, Mike Burrows.
Let’s start with the floor: at the very least, barring any type of injury, Burrows is a light’s out, James Karinchak-type reliever with an absurd fastball / curveball combination with the latter collecting awkward swings like Wall Street investors buying five-figure Ultra-Modern Baseball Cards of middle-tier prospects. Now the ceiling: there’s at least mid-rotation caliber potential here. Borderline plus-plus fastball that’s in the running for tops in the Buccos’ system, the heater will sit in the mid-90s and touch a few ticks higher. The curveball haunts my dreams and I’ve never had to dig in against it. The lone thing holding Burrows back, at least for now, is his average changeup. It’s workable, but if it every upticks – be careful. There’s all kinds of helium collecting in this prospect balloon.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Quinn Priester, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 50/55 | 60 |
Background: The 2019 draft class is shaping up to one of the deeper, more talented classes in recent memory. Adley Rutschman’s already a star. Bobby Witt, Andrew Vaughn looked like above-average big league regulars. Nick Lodolo was simply brilliant during his rookie season in 2021 for the Reds of Cincinnati – as was George Kirby for the Mariners. Alek Manoah, the 11th overall pick that summer, has already established himself as the Blue Jays’ ace and one of the best young hurlers in the game. And that’s not including the likes of Riley Greene or Josh Jung – or top prospects like Brett Baty, Corbin Carroll, Daniel Espino, or Pittsburgh’s Quinn Priester. Taken with the 18th overall pick that year, Priester made the transition from Cary-Grove High School to the minor leagues with ease. He posted a dominant 41-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 36.2 innings during his debut. After minor league baseball returned from its COVID-induced absence, the front office shipped the then-20-year-old right-hander right up to High-A at the start of 2021. And he more than held his own. Making 20 starts for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the promising youngster averaged 9.0 strikeouts and 3.6 walks per nine innings. An oblique injury forced Priester to miss the opening couple of months last season, but after tune-up starts in Low-A and High-A, he made his way up to the fires of Double-A. He would throw 75.1 innings in the minors’ toughest proving ground, posting a 75-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 2.87 ERA. Priester capped up his year with a pair of starts with the Indianapolis Indians in Triple-A.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, seven 21-year-old pitchers posted a 23% to 25% strikeout percentage with a 6% to 8% walk percentage in any Double-A league (min. 75 IP): Zach Davies, Adam Miller, Jose Garcia, Juan Pablo Oramas, Coleman Crow, Kyle Smith, and Quinn Priester.
It seems like forever ago that Mitch Keller seemed destined to be the Pirates ace of the future – though it was only a mere few seasons ago. While Keller turned in his best big league season to date in 2022, he’s failed to live up to his consensus Top 100 prospect status. Quinn Priester won’t have that problem. Four above-average or better offerings. Priester’s plus heater sits in the 93- to 96-mph range and his two-seamer shows hard, boring life. His plus mid-80s slider is hellacious, late-biting. His plus curveball, which works in the shadow of his slider, is another plus offering. And his changeup, the worst pitch of his repertoire, would be the best offering for a lot of successful big leaguers. Priester owns above-average command, works quickly, and doesn’t cower to top hitters. Bulldog mentality. He may never ascend to true ace-dom, at least on a contending team, but he’s going to be a very good #2 / #3 type starting pitcher for many years.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. Luis Ortiz, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 65 | 50/55 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Background: The Pirates signed the under-the-radar right-hander to a paltry $25,000 bonus in the fall of 2018. But the portly hurler wouldn’t make his professional debut until two years later. And he looked abysmal during his jaunt through the Appalachian League. Squaring off against younger competition, Ortiz averaged just 6.6 strikeouts and a whopping 4.3 walks per nine innings across 11 starts. But something happened to the 6-foot-2, 240-pound righty because he morphed into a viable pitching prospect once he returned after the lost 2020 COVID season. Making 19 starts and three relief appearances with the Bradenton Marauders in Low-A two years ago, Ortiz punched out 113 and walked just 28 walks in only 87.1 innings of work. And that happened to be a harbinger of things to come in 2022. Ortiz was borderline brilliant in 24 games with the Altoona Curve, the club’s Double-A affiliate. He breezed through two games in Triple-A and made four starts with the big league club. Ortiz finished his minor league tenure in 2022 with 124.1 innings, recording 138-to-38 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He averaged an impeccable 10 strikeouts and just 2.8 walks per nine innings. And he fanned 17 and walked 10 in 16.0 innings with the Buccos.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only three 23-year-old hurlers posted a 26% to 28% strikeout percentage with a 6.5% to 8.5% walk percentage in any Double-A league (min. 100 IP): Brandon Woodruff, Brett Kerry, and Luis Ortiz.
Built like a young Johnny Cueto. Ortiz is listed as a hefty 240 pounds, but (A) he doesn’t look that heavy and (B) it’s a sturdy, solid weight, not a fluffy build. Heavy mid-90s fastball that looks like hitters are hitting a concrete ball. It’s particularly effective above the belt and borderline plus-plus. Ortiz is reliant on his above-average, mid-80s slider – which shows subtle, but late movement. He’ll also mix in a rare curveball that will flash above-average, and a firm, 50-grade changeup. Ortiz shows a surprising amount of pitchability and game-planning to his approach to pitching given his lack of time on a professional mound. He shows impressive command of his borderline plus-plus fastball.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2022
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7. Liover Peguero, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Background: Signed by the Diamondbacks for $475,000 during the summer of 2017. Peguero’s stint in the Arizona organization barely lasted two years before he was used as trade bait to lure Starling Marte from Pittsburgh. The Buccos acquired the twitchy, well-built shortstop, along with 2019 first rounder Brennan Malone in late January 2020. But the prospects wouldn’t make their debuts in his new organization until a year, thanks to the COVID pandemic. The Pirates’ brass sent the then-20-year-old Dominican prospect up to High-A at the start of 2021. And Peguero looked comfortable squaring off against the older competition, slugging .270/.332/.444 with 19 doubles, two triples, 14 homeruns, and 28 stolen bases in only 90 games. Last season, after smashing the competition with Greensboro, he was deemed ready to take on the hurlers in the ultra-competitive Double-A environment. And he escaped without too many bumps and bruises. Appearing in 121 games with the Curve of Altoona, Peguero batted a mediocre .259/.305/.387 with 22 doubles, five triples, 10 homeruns, and 28 stolen based (he was caught stealing only six times). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production fell 12% below the league average mark. Peguero squeezed in an appearance with the Pirates as well, going 1-for-3 against the Giants in early June.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only three 21-year-old hitters met the following criteria in Double-A (min. 350 PA): 83 to 93 wRC+, a 19.5% to 21.5% strikeout rate, and a 4.5% to 6.5% walk rate. Those three hitters: Cornelius Randolph, Jahmai Jones, and – of course – Liover Peguero. For those counting at home:
- Randolph is a former early first round pick that hasn’t hacked in three stints in Double-A, across two separate organizations. Jones, a 2015 second round pick, hasn’t hacked in several stints in the upper minors.
Peguero had a weird 2022. The Dominican infielder started off like a consensus Top 100 prospect by slugging .292/.315/.469 across his first 54 games. Pittsburgh called him up for a game. Then he was promptly sent back down. From that point on through the rest of the year he batted .230/.297/.315. Seems like it’s more than a coincidence, no? Known for his defensive wizardry, Peguero’s leatherwork regressed some last season as well. Offensively, he chewed some percentage points off of his borderline concerning punch out rate from 2021. He flashed doubles power, which was expected. He’s a strong bounce back candidate. The lack of on-base skills will tarnish his overall ceiling, but there’s starting caliber potential here. Ceiling: .270/.320/.400 with above-average defense.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2022
_______________________________________________________________________________________
8. Jared Jones, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 40/45 | 55 |
Background: After nabbing New Mexico State star Nick Gonzales with the seventh overall pick in 2020, the front office spent the rest of their draft capital on pitching. But only one of those five picks wouldn’t come from a four-year college – right-hander Jared Jones. A product of La Mirada High School, Pittsburgh signed Jones, the 44th overall player taken that summer, to a massive $2.2 million deal. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hander made 18 appearances with the Marauders of Bradenton two years ago, throwing just 66.0 innings with an impressive 103 punch outs against just 34 free passes. Last season, the front office did the prudent thing and sent him up to High-A. And Jones made some important strides as he moved up the minor league ladder. Handling nearly double the workload, Jones averaged 10.4 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings across 26 starts for the Grasshoppers. He finished his sophomore professional season with a 4.62 ERA, a 4.85 FIP, and a 4.27 xFIP. For his career, he’s averaging 11.7 punch outs and 4.1 walks per nine innings.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, there have been four 20-year-old hurlers that posted a 25.5% to 27.5% strikeout percentage with an 8.5% to 10.5% walk percentage in any High-A league (min. 100 IP): Josh Hader, Caleb Ferguson, Julio Rodriguez, and – of course – Jared Jones.
Jones saw a definite uptick in velocity over the previous year as he was regularly touching 96 and sometimes as high as 97 mph. It’s a heavy fastball with incredible life, often times allowing him to work primarily off the borderline plus-plus offering. Plus slider – a wickedly filthy mid-80s offerings with straight downward bite. Above-average curveball. And a decent, mid-80s changeup. As expected, the command improved from a 40- to 45-grade offering. There’s mid-rotation caliber potential here. And Jones remains one of the more underrated hurlers in the minor leagues. He could be one of the larger breakout hurlers in 2023 – even as he moves into Double-A.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9. Nick Gonzales, 2B / SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 50 | 40 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Background: The 2020 draft was always going to be a crapshoot – no matter how prepared, or how well a team has historically drafted. So it’s not surprising that a lot of the early first round selections have either struggled or been massive disappointments. Guys like Asa Lacy or Austin Martin or Austin Hendrick. The jury, though, is still out on Nick Gonzales. The seventh overall pick that summer, Gonzales left the Aggies as career .399/.502/.747 hitters in 128 games. Pittsburgh sent the sweet-swinging infielder straight up to High-A two years ago. And he – more or less – dominated as he slugged .303/.385/.565 with 23 doubles, four triples, and 18 homeruns in only 80 games. Last season, in another abbreviated campaign, Gonzales passed the rigors of Double-A, hitting .263/.383/.429 with 20 doubles, one triple, seven homeruns, and five stolen bases. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 27%. A heel injury put him out of commission for nearly 2.5 months midway through the year. Gonzales made his second consecutive trip to the Arizona Fall League as well, batting .279/.351/.500 in 18 games with the Surprise Saguaros.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only four 23-year-old hitters posted a 122 to 132 wRC+ with a strikeout rate between 27% and 30% in any Double-A league (min. 300 PA): Zack Collins, Corey Ray, Brian Pointer, and – of course – Nick Gonzales.
After an abysmal start to the year, Gonzales, who batted a lowly .180/.324/.292 over his first 26 games, rebounded to slug an impressive .306/.411/.506 over his remaining 48 contests (including his rehab appearances). His bloated walks rates help compensate for his questionable swing-and-miss tendencies. There’s sneaky power that may peak in the 17- to 19-homer range. Average defense on either side of the keystone. One of the questions that he needs to answer is whether he can stay on the diamond for an entire year. Solid, league average starting material but he won’t be a star. In terms of big league ceiling, think: .260/.340/.430.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
_______________________________________________________________________________________
10. Bubba Chandler, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 70 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 30/45 | 60 |
Background: I’m sure it’s happened before in history – at least a few times. But Chandler received the second largest signing bonus in Pittsburgh’s 2021 draft – despite (A) the prep two-way star going in the third round and (B) he was the club’s fourth overall selection that summer. The 72nd overall player taken two years ago, the perennial downtrodden National League Central Division franchise signed the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander / shortstop to a massive $3 million deal – a bonus equivalent to mid-first round money. As if starring in every facet of the game for North Oconee High School wasn’t enough, Chandler was ranked by some outlets as the 19th best quarterback in the country as well, earning a four-star recruit status. After signing with the club, the front office limited the Georgia-born prospect to just hitting during his abbreviated debut in the Florida Complex League two years ago. Chandler batted a lowly .167/.324/.300 in 11 games. The former Bonus Baby opened up last season back in the Complex League where he (A) dominated on the mound and (B) showed some serious thump and concerning hit tool. The front office bumped him up to Low-A in mud-July where Chandler continued to show promise on the bump, though he struggled at the plate. He finished his first full season in the minors with a lowly .196/.331/.382 with three doubles, two triples, four homeruns, and four stolen bases. He also tossed 41.1 innings, recording 60 punch outs and 28 walks with an aggregate 2.61 ERA.
Scouting Report: Hitting a baseball is the hardest task in any professional sport – period. Hitting a baseball while developing your craft as a pitcher is nearly impossible. It’s exactly why Shohei Ohtani’s accomplishments over the past few seasons are so remarkable and – nearly – incomprehensible. Bubba Chandler is attempting to do it, and it’s crystal clear just how impossible the feat actually is. It’s not overly surprising that the former highly touted, highly recruited prep quarterback possesses a howitzer for a right arm. His fastball sits – consistently – in the 95- to 97-mph range with, late, explosive life. He’ll feature a wickedly unfair, plus mid- to upper-80s slider, and a surprisingly strong changeup. He’ll mix in a rare, low-80s curveball as well. The command is a 30, but when he’s on he’s nearly unhittable. It’s almost unfair. At the plate, Chandler owns plus-plus raw power, speed, and he just oozes athleticism. The argument could be made he owns some of the best power in the entire system. Great bat speed, but the hit tool is questionable. Chandler’s future is on the hill, which was evident during his senior season in high school. The Pirates may continue to give him at bats, but at some point he’s going to have to focus solely on pitching or he’s going to turn into the great “What If?”. There’s mid-rotation caliber potential, maybe even as high a #2, but the command has a LONG ways to go.
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Extreme
MLB ETA: 2026
_______________________________________________________________________________________
All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, and Baseball America.
