The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted one of their top prospects prior to the start of this week’s action for the full-season teams. Bubba Chandler has been promoted to the Bradenton Marauders from the FCL Pirates.
Chandler has dominated the league on the mound and put up strong power/OBP numbers as the DH. He put up a 0.00 ERA in 15.1 innings and hasn’t allowed a hit since the first inning on June 15th, going 12.2 consecutive innings over four games without a hit. During that time he has 22 strikeouts. At the plate he has a .231/.444/.654 slash line, with a triple, three homers and nine walks in eight games. He will likely see time as the DH before pitching later in the week (Friday/Saturday most likely).
Some other early moves to report in the system, plus we will add any others here that might pop up today. Pitcher Sebastian Rodriguez has been assigned from Bradenton to the FCL Pirates. He has pitched for both teams this year, posting a 3.86 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11.2 innings, with ten walks.
Pitcher Adrian Mendez was released. The lefty was the top pitcher signed by the Pirates during the 2018-19 international signing period, getting a $355,000 bonus. However, he never developed from a projectable pitcher who was throwing high-80s when he signed at 16 years old. He struggled in both the DSL and FCL, putting up a 7.89 ERA in 65 innings over three seasons, with limited time due to his struggles, a team suspension in 2019, and the lost 2020 season.
Pitcher Garrett Leonard has been released. He was with Greensboro this year for a second straight season and having his share of issues. After a 5.81 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP in 62 innings last year, he had a 9.60 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP in 30 innings this season. The 25-year-old was a 15th round pick in 2019.
UPDATED:
Bradenton has promoted relief pitchers Cristian Charle and Dante Mendoza to Greensboro. The Marauders also got back Brenden Dixon and Darvin Garcia from the injured list. The 22-year-old Charle has a 2.16 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 33.1 innings this season. The 23-year-old Mendoza has a 1.23 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 29.1 innings over 21 appearances.
Josh Bissonette and Cristofer Melendez have been demoted from Indianapolis to Altoona. Bissonette has been with Indianapolis all season in a utility role, where he hit .210/.225/.276 in 37 games and showed off some strong defensive skills. Melendez throws heat, but his control has been poor this year. He has 4.83 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.
Greg Allen will now rehab in Indianapolis. He went 3-for-9 with three singles and a walk in three rehab games for Bradenton.
