Braxton Ashcraft Promoted to Indianapolis
p/c: Brenden Grimminger
The Indianapolis Indians will be getting some much needed help in their starting rotation, as right-hander Braxton Ashcraft is getting a AAA promotion, this according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf.
Ashcraft was a second round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2018 MLB Draft.
After undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery during the 2021 season, which caused him to miss all of 2022, Ashcraft pitched across three levels last year, with the Bradenton Marauders, Greensboro Grasshoppers, and Altoona Curve. As you would imagine, he had his innings monitored - throwing 52.2 altogether. Ashcraft managed to put up a 2.39 ERA, including a WHIP of 1.08, and a 10.8 K/9.
Last offseason, the Pirates made the unsurprising decision to place Ashcraft on the 40-man roster, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
The 24-year-old Ashcraft began this season with Altoona. In 53.2 innings pitched, he posted a 3.69 ERA. Ashcraft struck out 63 batters (10.6 K/9), while allowing only eight walks, for an excellent, 1.3 BB/9.
In his most recent outing on Thursday, Ashcraft recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
MLB Pipeline currently has Ashcraft ranked sixth among Pirates prospects.