Chandler has pretty much shown what he needs to show in the minors since being drafted in the third round by the Pirates back in 2021. Across all levels, he has a 26-18 record, 3.73 ERA, and 11.1 K/9 across 89 career minor-league games.
The 23-year-old bounced between the rotation and bullpen in his cup of coffee last year, and though he was average to below average in hard-hit metrics, he was generally well above average in other underlying metrics like chase, whiff, and ground-ball rates. That’ll play as he sees the mound more in 2026.
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
2025 Stats: 32 GS, 176.1 IP, 4.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 4.02 FIP, 7.66 K/9, 2.60 BB/9
When it comes to the Pirates’ rotation, most of the talk surrounds the team’s young pitching studs like Chandler, ace Paul Skenes, and even the injured Jared Jones. But don’t forget about one of the team’s pitching veterans, right-hander Mitch Keller.
At 29 years old, Keller has already pitched in parts of seven seasons with the Pirates, who drafted him in the second round of the 2014 draft. Pitching in Pittsburgh means some lean years, but he has stuck it out, earning an All-Star nod in 2023 and closing in on 1,000 innings pitched with the team.
The Statcast metrics don’t always look the prettiest for Keller. Regardless, he’s averaged a 4.15 ERA and compiled 10.0 fWAR over the last four seasons and been a consistent contributor, making at least 29 starts in all of those seasons. He’s also become a decent ground-ball pitcher, finishing in the 61st percentile or better in three of the last four years.
2025 Stats: 28 GS, 156.2 IP, 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.81 FIP, 8.96 K/9, 1.78 BB/9
After a very promising 2022 rookie year, former seventh-overall pick Nick Lodolo saw his ascent to glory take a pause in 2023. That year, a stress reaction in his left tibia limited him to just seven starts.