It’s almost Bubba time in the ‘Burgh.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting Bubba Chandler, ranked the top right-handed pitching prospect in the minors, a source told TribLive on Wednesday morning. He is expected to be selected to the active roster before Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

The No. 7 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 15 by Baseball America, Chandler will begin his major league career in the bullpen, working in a bulk relief role, but is still expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation in 2026.

The 22-year-old right-hander is 4-5 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 121 strikeouts against 53 walks in 100 innings over 24 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Chandler was two-sport star at North Oconee High School in Bogart, Ga., who signed with Clemson as a quarterback recruit. The Pirates selected him in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft but lured him from his college commitment with an above-slot $3 million signing bonus.

Chandler spent his first professional season as a two-way player, splitting time at pitcher, shortstop and designated hitter before fully committing to being a pitcher-only in 2023.

Splitting the 2023 season between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, Chandler went 10-4 with a 4.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 128 strikeouts and 51 walks in 111 innings over 25 starts as opponents batted .257 against him.

Chandler began last season at Altoona and was chosen to play for the National League in the All-Star Futures Game in Arlington, Texas. He pitched the final inning of a 6-1 win over the American League, striking out Kansas City Royals 2022 first-round pick Gavin Cross and allowing one hit and one walk.

Last August, the Pirates promoted Chandler to Indianapolis and he finished strong, going 4-0 with a 1.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 54 strikeouts against 15 walks and a .183 batting-average against in seven starts.

Chandler shined in the Spring Breakout, striking out four in a pair of perfect innings against the Philadelphia Phillies’ top prospects. He was one of the first cuts from major league camp on March 6, with the Pirates announcing their intentions to start him in the minors. On May 24, Chandler pitched six no-hit innings against Toledo before giving up a walk and a hit in the seventh.

Chandler’s call-up is considered long overdue, as he had a 2-1 record with a 2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 70 strikeouts against 22 walks in 50 2/3 innings over his first 12 starts for the Indians this season.

But Chandler has struggled with command issues since June, when he posted an 8.53 ERA, a .309 batting average against and had more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). Chandler’s numbers improved in July, when he was 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and had 26 strikeouts against 12 walks in 26 2/3 innings over five starts, but he is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and .377 BAA in 12 innings over three starts this month.