The Pirates will be calling up the game's best pitching prospect to the Majors this week.

Right-hander Bubba Chandler , ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 7 overall prospect , will have his contract selected on Friday ahead of his big league debut against the Rockies at PNC Park, a source told MLB.com on Wednesday. The club has not confirmed the news.

While the Pirates see Chandler as a starter long term -- and he may receive starts with Pittsburgh this year -- Chandler will primarily be used as a bulk reliever with the Pirates.

The 22-year-old righty, taken by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2021 Draft, has gone 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 24 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis this year, striking out 121 batters in 100 innings. After posting a 1.33 ERA in April and a 2.54 ERA in May,

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