MLB Pipeline just released their list of the top ten right-handed pitching prospects and two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects made the list. Bubba Chandler was ranked as the second best righty pitcher just behind Nolan McLean and Seth Hernandez was ranked at five.
The Pirates’ pipeline of pitching prospects has been one of the most promising over the past couple of years, yielding top talent like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. Chandler and Hernandez being this highly touted is not out of the ordinary for the franchise.
Advertisement
Chandler was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2021 draft and made his MLB debut in 2025. Although his career got off to a rocky start initially, the 23-year-old Clemson product managed to right the ship and adjust to major league hitters. He finished the 2025 campaign with a 4-1 record in seven appearances. Chandler started four of those games and ended the season with a 4.02 ERA across 31.1 innings.
2026 should be a breakout year for Chandler. He is primed to be a key piece in the Pirates’ rotation which is showing promise as potentially one of the best in baseball. His pure stuff and athleticism gives Chandler a very high ceiling.
Seth Hernandez has yet to throw a single pitch in professional baseball but his huge upside and decorated high school career lands him as the fifth highest ranked righty in 2026.
Advertisement
Hernandez was drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2025 after he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year honors while pitching at Corona High School in California. The 19-year-old was ranked as the top amateur pitcher in the class.
MLB writer Jonathan Mayo wrote a post-draft analysis on Hernandez and the qualities that made him standout as a top draft choice.
“He has a fastball that touches the upper 90s, a plus-plus changeup and feel to spin. He’s more advanced than your typical high school right-hander, helping offset the risk often associated with the demographic.”
Hernandez was assigned to the FCL Pirates after being drafted and will likely start there to begin the 2026 season.
Having two young pitchers from the Pirates’ organization ranked this highly among the top prospects in baseball is proof that the future of Pittsburgh’s rotation is being built from within. The team has largely excelled in developing quality pitching talent over the past couple of years, and Chandler and Hernandez are looking to be the next arms to join that elite group in Pittsburgh.