Chandler, Horton spin scoreless outings to lead Thursday's top performers

All the stars were out for a Triple-A doubleheader between Cubs and Pirates prospects in Indianapolis. Two of baseball's premier young pitching talents spun zeros in opposite games, while a righty with big league experience set a career high out in Las Vegas. Add to that a pair of multihit performances from a pair of Top 100 prospects and Thursday was a fitting cherry on top of Triple-A's final night as the lone MiLB level in action. Come Friday, even more stars will be out.

THURSDAY'S TOP PERFORMERS

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Indianapolis (PIT No. 1/MLB No. 14)
After weather pushed back his 2025 debut on multiple occasions, Chandler shined once he finally took the mound. In the first game of a doubleheader, MLB’s No. 4 RHP prospect twirled 2 2/3 scoreless innings against a loaded Iowa lineup while only allowing one base hit and three walks. The righty tallied four strikeouts, three of which came off his 70-grade fastball, which topped out at 98.7 mph. In seven Triple-A starts last season, Chandler posted a 1.83 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings. Gameday

Cade Horton, RHP, Iowa (CHC No. 2/MLB No. 50)
Horton brought even more stellar pitching to the nightcap of the doubleheader. The 2022 first-rounder tallied six strikeouts over 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed only one hit in his final frame before exiting. The right-hander induced 14 whiffs during his outing, tied for the fourth-highest mark of the day at Triple-A. While most came against his fastball, five came vs. his 70-grade slider. Gameday

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Samuel Basallo, C, Norfolk (BAL No. 1/MLB No. 12)
After trailing for three innings, Basallo decided to flex his power and his ability to go the opposite way. The 20-year-old backstop raised his slugging percentage by 193 points after lining a two-run homer to left field at 100 mph off the bat to tie the game. The youngest everyday regular at Triple-A ended his night by going 2-for-4, adding a single in the eighth inning. Gameday

Jordan Lawlar, 2B, Reno (AZ No. 1/MLB No. 10)
They say consistency is key, and that will certainly be the case for Lawlar, who is looking to make up for having missed significant time in 2024. The 2021 first-rounder has played in each of the Triple-A Aces’ first six contests and posted his first multhit performance of the season, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the club's 8-2 victory over Tacoma. The standout moment came in the first inning when Lawlar seared a line drive to left field, plating the club’s first run of the night. Gameday

Brady House, 3B, Rochester (WSH No. 3)
House maintained his hot start to the season, notching his third straight multihit contest for the Red Wings. The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder drilled his first homer, a no-doubt 428-foot blast in the fifth inning, and finished Game 1 of Rochester’s doubleheader 2-for-3 before also collecting a hit in the nightcap. Gameday

J.T. Ginn, RHP, Las Vegas (ATH No. 14)
Ginn racked up 11 punchouts over six innings of two-run ball for the Aviators, recording six strikeouts with his sinker and five with the slider. The 11 K’s marked a career high for Ginn, who now has an impressive 1.64 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 15.6 K/9 through two starts. Gameday

WHAT TO WATCH FRIDAY

Free Game of the Day
Dayton Dragons (CIN) vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (DET) -- 6:35 p.m. ET
Celebrate Opening Day Part 2 with a talent-packed High-A clash between Reds and Tigers prospects. Chase Burns (CIN No. 1/MLB No. 25) is scheduled to get the call for Dayton in his professional debut after Cincinnati selected him second overall in last year’s Draft. The right-hander will face a stiff challenge against West Michigan, which features three Top 100 prospects: Max Clark (DET No. 2/MLB No. 5), Kevin McGonigle (DET No. 3/MLB No. 27) and Josue Brice?o (DET No. 6/MLB No. 93).

Windy City rivalry, Minor League style
Knoxville Smokies (CHC) vs. Birmingham Barons (CWS) -- 8 p.m. ET
Baseball’s top left-handed pitching prospect steps on the mound to face off against the formerly-known Tennessee Smokies. Noah Schultz (CWS No. 1/MLB No. 15) put together a dominant 2024 campaign, striking out 115 over 88 1/3 innings across two Minor League levels. The White Sox 2022 first-round Draft pick has limited opponents to a .191 average and owns an 0.95 WHIP in 33 professional starts.

Caglianone’s Texas League debut
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC) vs. Tulsa Drillers (LAD) -- 8 p.m. ET
One of baseball’s best prospects will get his first crack at Double-A when Jac Caglianone (KC No. 1/MLB No. 21) digs in for Northwest Arkansas. Coming off an impressive Spring Training with the Royals, last year’s sixth overall Draft pick headlines a host of Royals’ Top 30 talent, including fellow Top 100 prospect Carter Jensen (KC No. 3/MLB No. 84). Dodgers No. 4 prospect Jackson Ferris (MLB No. 69) makes his season debut after finishing 2024 strong in seven late-season starts for the Drillers.