Bubba Chandler, former North Oconee standout, clocks 100 mph in MLB debut
Bubba Chandler’s highly anticipated Major League Baseball debut was worth the wait.
North Oconee High School’s former dual-sport star logged a four-inning save in Pittsburgh’s 9-0 win over Colorado on Friday.
Chandler pitched four shutout innings, allowing just two hits and no walks with three strikeouts.
Chandler’s first strikeout might have been his most impressive. The 22-year-old froze Colorado’s Ryan Ritter with a 100 mph fastball on the outside corner of the plate.
He finished the inning — stranding a runner in scoring position in the process — with another 100 mph fastball above the zone.
“I blacked out in the first inning,” Chandler said, according to The Associated Press. “But I just kind of heard the place go crazy.”
Chandler kept rolling from there. He only faced 10 batters in the last three innings, scattering a hit-by-pitch and a single.
Chandler became the first Pirate to earn a save in his MLB debut since saves became an official statistic in 1969.
Pirates fans had been waiting for Chandler to be called up for months. MLB.com’s No. 7-ranked prospect climbed through the minor league ranks quickly after being drafted in the third round of the 2021 MLB draft.
Chandler drew MLB interest out of North Oconee as one of the top two-way players in the draft.
He was undoubtedly dominant on the mound, finishing his senior season 8-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 96 strikeouts, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
But he also dominated with the bat that season, hitting .411 with 12 doubles, eight home runs, 35 RBI and 41 runs scored.
Chandler finished his senior baseball season with an 8–1 record and a 1.25 ERA with 96 strikeouts over 44⅔ innings pitched and also batted .411 with 12 doubles, eight home runs, 35 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
Chandler’s athleticism expanded beyond the diamond at North Oconee. He also shined at quarterback, where he earned Region 8 4A Offensive Player of the Year his senior season with 2,390 total yards of offense and 24 total touchdowns, according to The Post and Courier.
About the Author
Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He's now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
