Pirates Call Up Braxton Ashcraft
The Pittsburgh Pirates are officially calling up RHP Braxton Ashcraft. Noah Hiles of the Post-Gazette was the first to report that Ashcraft would be joining the team in Arizona.
In the 2018 MLB Draft, the Pirates made Ashcraft a second round selection out of Robinson High School in Robinson, Texas, which is a suburb of Waco.
Despite losing a year of development, because of Covid in 2020, as well as having Tommy John surgery in 2021, Ashcraft has still managed to become one of the better pitching arms in the Pirates’ system. He’s currently Pittsburgh’s seventh best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Ashcraft has been pitching for AAA Indianapolis this season. The 6’5, righty is posting a 5.03 ERA thru 10 starts. However, the xFIP is more respectable at 3.89, while he’s dealing with a very unlucky .361 BABIP. Ashcraft, who is among the best control pitchers in the organization, has displayed inconsistency this year, registering a 3.5 BB/9 (19 walks in 48.1 innings). But the K/9 figure remains solid at 10.4 (56 strikeouts in 48.1 IP).
It appears the Pirates want Ashcraft to cover multiple innings in the bullpen, and perhaps serve as a spot starter.