Pirates All 40: Braxton Ashcraft a Budding Star?

Title: Pirates All 40: Braxton Ashcraft a Budding Star? | Pittsburgh Baseball Now The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown strong development in their pitching prospects, highlighted by recent successes like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. Three of the Pirates' top five prospects are pitchers currently in Triple-A, indicating a promising future for the team's pitching staff. Braxton Ashcraft, a right-hander, is emerging as a notable prospect after overcoming a slow start and Tommy John surgery. Since his return from surgery, Ashcraft has significantly improved, posting a combined 2.39 ERA over 19 starts in the 2023 season. In his time with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, Ashcraft demonstrated excellent control, with a career-high 77 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched. Despite his talent, Ashcraft has faced injury challenges, including shoulder surgery in 2019 and multiple injured list stints in 2024. The Pirates drafted Ashcraft in the second round of the 2018 draft, signing him for $1.83 million, aiming to make him the first player from Robinson High School in Texas to reach the majors. He was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster last offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Since returning from injury, Ashcraft has shown impressive statistics, averaging 1.6 walks and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. If Ashcraft can maintain his health and continue to build on his performance, he could soon become a valuable asset in the Pirates' rotation.

Original Article: https://pittsburghbaseballnow.com/pittsburgh-pirates-40-man-roster-braxton-ashcraft-2025/

Original Article Author: Danny Demilio