Bubba Chandler rebounds from tough June

Photo Credit: Ryan Palencer

Following a solid first 11 starts to his year, June was not friendly to Bubba Chandler.

In the month, Chandler allowed 17 hits, 12 walks, and 13 runs in just 12.2 innings.

As for the reasoning, Chandler pointed to nothing physical and more so trusting his arsenal that’s got him to this point — a top pitching prospect in all of baseball.

“I’m feeling good,” Chandler said. “I’m just trying to stay healthy and make every start…I know what I have to do to pitch the way I want to pitch. It’s plain and simple. I need to execute in the zone. My stuff plays great, so that’s it.”

Indianapolis pitching coach Drew Benes agreed with Chandler’s assessment and added that staying on the attack and being efficient with pitches are keys to his July resurgence.

“It’s just his commitment to using his good stuff in zone,” Benes said. “It’s always about trying to get count leverage with first-pitch strikes and try to go at guys. He’s got really good stuff. It’s about trusting his stuff, especially early in the count.”

In a pair of July starts prior to the All-Star break, Chandler has recovered nicely. On Independence Day, he fired six shutout innings, while striking out six.

Six days later, he matched the six shutout framed, but upped the punch out totals to seven. In each outing, he walked just two batters and was much more efficient with his pitches, tossing 65 and 70 percent strikes. Much of the lower percentage start was due to the first two innings before hitting his groove.

While the recipe for success is there, Chandler also knows that just going out to pitch without hearing too much noise is another key to his success.

“During the game, I don’t generally focus on what I’m doing,” Chandler said. “It’s more about forgetting what I have to do and pitch freely. It’s just about using the tools and talents I have to do so. The less I can focus on the game, usually the better I pitch.”

The thinking element comes into play in the days between starts. Chandler knows that the work to get himself ready every five days is also important to his bounce back.

“My body is in the right spot,” Chandler said. “I prepare the right way everyday.”

While his June could be a little alarming, Chandler has similar stretches from May into June in 2023 and also in May of 2024, where the walks and hits jumped tremendously. When preparing a pitcher for the big leagues, having the league punch back and needing to make adjustments is a good thing. It prepares them for when the big leagues will undoubtedly do that as well.

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