Paul Skenes may have secured the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Opening Day start in 2025, but one of his teammates is already eyeing that honor for next season. Bubba Chandler, a 22-year-old pitching prospect, wasted no time firing off a playful warning after the big announcement—making it clear that he plans to lead the rotation sooner rather than later.
Fresh from a season in the rookie league and with impressive stats to back him up Skenes has been chosen as the starting pitcher for the Pirates on Opening Day in 2025. As a pitcher, he had an outstanding debut season with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses, an ERA of 1.96, and a total of 170 strikeouts in only 133 innings. Given his performance season it was an easy decision for Pittsburgh to name him as their starter. But Chandler, a fellow young arm in the Pirates’ system, had a little fun with the news.
As soon as Skenes’ Opening Day starter video hit the internet, Chandler sent him a text that read, “It’s going to be tough next year when you’re starting Day 2.” A bold statement? Maybe. But it’s the kind of lighthearted, competitive banter that makes a young rotation like Pittsburgh’s so exciting.
“The cool thing is, [Bubba Chandler] sent me a text when the [Opening Day starter] video came out today and he said ‘It’s going to be tough next year when you’re starting Day 2′”
This rotation doesn’t lack confidence. Love it. pic.twitter.com/Tl9ACMJ386
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) March 15, 2025
Chandler is a standout pitching prospect for the Pirates for those who may not know him well. He started off as a two-way player in the field but later decided to focus on pitching. His impressive fastball and precise breaking pitches have caught the attention of many. Even though he has yet to debut in the MLB, Chandler is making progress up the ranks, showcasing his confidence along the way.
Paul Skenes took the message in stride, knowing full well that having guys like Chandler pushing him can only make the team better. If anything, Chandler’s playful jab is a sign of the culture Pittsburgh is building—one where young arms are hungry, competitive, and unafraid to set lofty goals.
The Pirates haven’t had a true ace to lead them to contention in years, but with Skenes already establishing himself and Chandler knocking on the door, that could change soon. And if Chandler does manage to back up his words, Pittsburgh might have a very fun problem on their hands next spring.
For now, Skenes will take the ball on Opening Day, and Chandler will watch from the dugout. But don’t be surprised if, a year from now, the 22-year-old makes his case to be the one leading the charge.
Could Chandler steal the spotlight from Paul Skenes next year?
Though Bubba Chandler might be teasing at the moment, his self-assurance is not baseless. The 22-year-old pitcher has been steadily advancing through the Pirates’ league system, showcasing a fastball and solid secondary pitches. If he manages to deliver a standout performance in Triple-A in 2025—or earns a promotion to the majors—he could well position himself as a strong contender for next year’s Opening Day lineup.
Pittsburgh’s rotation is young, and of course, taking the spotlight from Paul Skenes won’t be easy. The current NL Rookie of the Year seems poised to become a tier-one starting pitcher for Pittsburgh as long as he maintains his performance level without any setbacks in the future. Therefore, for Chandler to surpass him in this position, he must work on improving his control on the field, having a performance against MLB batters, and showcasing his ability to dominate games like his predecessor.
For Chandler to legitimately challenge Skenes for the Opening Day role in 2026, he’ll need to refine his command, prove himself against major league hitters, and show he can take over games the way Skenes has.
If both pitchers live up to expectations, the Pirates could find themselves in a dream scenario—two homegrown aces competing for the top spot in the rotation.
So, what do you think? Could Bubba Chandler back up his bold words and push Paul Skenes for the Pirates’ Opening Day start in 2026?
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