Some of yinz might know I went down to Greensboro for Bubba's last start, which was also impressive.
We had a rain delay on a pretty ugly night to start things off. The sun was going down behind threatening storm clouds and it looked apocalyptic. I was in the Rail Kings section and the sky looked a sick yellow, so it was almost hard to watch the game as the yellow glare of the background competed with the stadium lights for dominance.
Once they started the game, they played the whole thing in between the raindrops as lightning bolts whizzed around in the sky seemingly just over the left field parking garage.
Of all the forces in play, Bubba was the most undeniable. He was throwing straight downhill 96 all night and none of the senators could touch him. Had a perfect game going into the 5th with 8 strikeouts until the Senators' big catcher got a single. He sure looks like he wants to prove a point.
Dylan Crews did nothing against him, but did provide for some fun in the 7th (?) when he charged straight in and dove for first baseman Gonzales's screaming (dying) liner to center and wound up on his face as the ball fell, untouched, and rolled most of the way to the wall. By the time the other outfielders caught up with it and got the ball in, they threw it over the head of whoever was covering third for a little league homer.
Minor league baseball is a lot of fun.
But, overall, Chandler made mincemeat outta this lineup of Nationals' prospects.
This makes me think, with Priester, Jones, Solomento and others returning from injury things could get very interesting very quickly next season.
I am not sure, but I wanna say Bubba is not old enough to have a beer yet and he is wiping out the Dylan Crewses of the world. Strong night of work. Based on his second half, and what I saw in his last start for the Hoppers, things are heading in the right direction.
"Do you wanna shoot me now or wait 'till ya get home?
Shoot 'im now!! Shoot 'im now!!
You keep outta dis. He doesn't have to shoot you now.
Well, I say he DOES have to shoot me now. SO SHOOT ME NOW!!!!"
Very impressive starts from 22 year old Jared Jones at AAA, and 20 year old Bubba Chandler at AA. Both were very efficient and hitting their spots. Not unusual to see from Jones, but Chandler sometimes struggles with his Command - very efficient last night and that Rotation in Altoona is going to be very, very strong in 2024.
Jones has a total of 115 IP in 2023 (71 IP in AAA) which is short of the 122 IP thrown last year at A+. He will probably get at least one more start at AAA, and no reason to think he would not be a possibility for the Pirate Rotation starting 2024. Chandler finishes his season with 111 IP and both have more K's than innings pitched.
Just a note on Dylan Crews the second pick behind Paul Skenes in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft. Struggling a bit at AA with a .173 BA, 485 OPS, but too good of a hitter to think he will not turn that around.
I see no reason Jones doesn’t take his normal turn every 5th day through the end of season, which will include a start in Pittsburgh during the last week of season.
Another bold prediction is I have Bubba headed to AZ to play in the Fall League.
Thank you. I like that possibility of the last start in Pittsburgh for Jones. Regarding Bubba, teams always (or should) want young pitchers to finish on a high note - and it cannot get any higher than what he has already accomplished. With 111 innings pitched already, do we want to gamble on another 25-30 meaningless innings in Arizona? Not a wise thing to do IMHO.
Welp... that was a blast.
Wabbit went down to Toon-Town last night.
Some of yinz might know I went down to Greensboro for Bubba's last start, which was also impressive.
We had a rain delay on a pretty ugly night to start things off. The sun was going down behind threatening storm clouds and it looked apocalyptic. I was in the Rail Kings section and the sky looked a sick yellow, so it was almost hard to watch the game as the yellow glare of the background competed with the stadium lights for dominance.
Once they started the game, they played the whole thing in between the raindrops as lightning bolts whizzed around in the sky seemingly just over the left field parking garage.
Of all the forces in play, Bubba was the most undeniable. He was throwing straight downhill 96 all night and none of the senators could touch him. Had a perfect game going into the 5th with 8 strikeouts until the Senators' big catcher got a single. He sure looks like he wants to prove a point.
Dylan Crews did nothing against him, but did provide for some fun in the 7th (?) when he charged straight in and dove for first baseman Gonzales's screaming (dying) liner to center and wound up on his face as the ball fell, untouched, and rolled most of the way to the wall. By the time the other outfielders caught up with it and got the ball in, they threw it over the head of whoever was covering third for a little league homer.
Minor league baseball is a lot of fun.
But, overall, Chandler made mincemeat outta this lineup of Nationals' prospects.
This makes me think, with Priester, Jones, Solomento and others returning from injury things could get very interesting very quickly next season.
I am not sure, but I wanna say Bubba is not old enough to have a beer yet and he is wiping out the Dylan Crewses of the world. Strong night of work. Based on his second half, and what I saw in his last start for the Hoppers, things are heading in the right direction.
"Do you wanna shoot me now or wait 'till ya get home?
Shoot 'im now!! Shoot 'im now!!
You keep outta dis. He doesn't have to shoot you now.
Well, I say he DOES have to shoot me now. SO SHOOT ME NOW!!!!"
-Wabbit
Great article on Chandler from Jason Mackey:
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/09/09/pittsburgh-pirates-bubba-chandler-development-mlb-draft-embrace-altoona-curve/stories/202309080061
The kid is turning into a pro.
Thanks for sharing! I really think our future rotation is in good hands
Very impressive starts from 22 year old Jared Jones at AAA, and 20 year old Bubba Chandler at AA. Both were very efficient and hitting their spots. Not unusual to see from Jones, but Chandler sometimes struggles with his Command - very efficient last night and that Rotation in Altoona is going to be very, very strong in 2024.
Jones has a total of 115 IP in 2023 (71 IP in AAA) which is short of the 122 IP thrown last year at A+. He will probably get at least one more start at AAA, and no reason to think he would not be a possibility for the Pirate Rotation starting 2024. Chandler finishes his season with 111 IP and both have more K's than innings pitched.
Just a note on Dylan Crews the second pick behind Paul Skenes in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft. Struggling a bit at AA with a .173 BA, 485 OPS, but too good of a hitter to think he will not turn that around.
Good info as usual Mel.
I see no reason Jones doesn’t take his normal turn every 5th day through the end of season, which will include a start in Pittsburgh during the last week of season.
Another bold prediction is I have Bubba headed to AZ to play in the Fall League.
These guys aren’t done yet this season.
Thank you. I like that possibility of the last start in Pittsburgh for Jones. Regarding Bubba, teams always (or should) want young pitchers to finish on a high note - and it cannot get any higher than what he has already accomplished. With 111 innings pitched already, do we want to gamble on another 25-30 meaningless innings in Arizona? Not a wise thing to do IMHO.