Ashcraft ready to take another big step forward after stellar ’23 season
BRADENTON, Fla. — As intimidating as Braxton Ashcraft’s 6- foot- 5 frame is on the bump, a more formidable one resided in the right-handed batter’s box on Mar. 4.
First up during Ashcraft’s spring training debut was three-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays’ prized first baseman. Ashcraft, who has already faced many other obstacles in his stillyoung pro career, went right after Guerrero with some serious heat, pumping a pair of 98 mph fastballs before retiring the feared slugger.
He then set down Justin Turner and Danny Jansen in order, hardly resembling a pitcher who has only appeared in 20 innings above High-A in a minor-league career that dates back to 2018.
“Being the first big league game or spring training game, you’re obviously going to be a little bit more amped up,” Ashcraft said. “Just being able to reel it back in and stay in the zone and stay within myself, that was huge and encouraging for me.”
More encouraging for the Pirates, however, were the steps Ashcraft took to reach this juncture after they selected him in the second round of the 2018 MLB draft.
The right-hander dislocated his non-throwing shoulder in 2019, which required surgery. So, too, did his money-making elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery after just 10 starts in the 2021 season. He sat out of the entire 2022 campaign while rehabbing, further raising the stakes for his return.
But in 2023, a healthy Ashcraft flashed the potential that made him such a high pick, compiling a 2.39 ERA across 52 ⅔ innings en route to earning a spot on the Pirates’ 40-man roster in November. While just a transaction, the significance of the Pirates still believing in him was hardly lost on the 24-year-old.
“It’s an honor to be added to the 40-man, especially after my history,” Ashcraft said. “That was a really good feeling, really encouraging.”
Now clearly entrenched in the Pirates’ future plans for their rotation, a healthy Ashcraft was able to approach his offseason differently. Rather than past winters and springs when the focus had been on rehab, Ashcraft settled into what he coined a more “constructive” offseason, one dedicated to pitching deeper into games.
In returning from Tommy John, Ashcraft operated with a strict innings limit last season and never lasted longer than four frames by design. This year, Ashcraft hopes the strength he gained since last pitching competitively will allow him to consistently throw six or seven innings each time he toes the rubber.
Outside of that top priority, Ashcraft has emphasized improving his changeup. It has lagged behind his curveball and slider, both in usage and efficacy, throughout his minor-league career.
“Trying to develop that and get comfortable with that and have it as a weapon and not just a show pitch,” Ashcraft said. “So, that was a big focus this offseason. I think I nailed that pretty good.”
Ashcraft didn’t show the changeup in his spring training debut, instead pairing his four-seamer with the two breaking-balls. Work remains to polish his four-pitch arsenal, but that can now receive the bulk of Ashcraft’s attention instead of any lingering or serious ailment.
“As of now,” Ashcraft said. “I feel better than I ever have in my life.”
Even with his laundry list of an injury history, Ashcraft understands more could arise in the future, as such is out of his control. So, too, is his name being thrown around in trade discussions this season after a breakout year in which he pitched at three minor-league levels, wrapping up with DoubleA Altoona.
With the Pirates’ prospect pool featuring more top pitchers than position players, Ashcraft could be an expendable commodity should they seek to add another major-league-ready arm before the season gets underway.
For the time being, however, Ashcraft is much more focused on maximizing the opportunities at hand with his current employer than speculating who could be his next.
“I’m a Pirate,” Ashcraft said. “I really love being here and that stuff, it’s all on the sideline, and it’s hard for me to worry about … I love my time here and love this team, and I really am looking forward to the season and being able to contribute in any way I can.”