Pirates Announce Exciting Promotion for Braxton Ashcraft: What It Means for the Team’s Future

The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft to the major leagues, sending Isaac Mattson to Triple-A. Manager Don Kelly confirmed this change to the media. Ashcraft has been part of the Pirates’ 40-man roster since November 2023, so no additional transactions were necessary. According to Noah Hiles from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ashcraft traveled with the team for their road trip to Arizona, but it was unclear whether he would be officially activated.

Now, Ashcraft is ready for his big league debut, but he’ll take on a different role. Although he started 69 of his 71 minor league games, he’ll initially serve as a long reliever for the Pirates. This suggests that Mike Burrows will hold his spot as the team’s fifth starter, while the top four remain stable with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter. Burrows recently replaced Carmen Mlodzinski, who struggled during his starts.

Fans are eager for Bubba Chandler to make his MLB debut, yet the Pirates are opting to give opportunities to other promising young pitchers like Burrows, Tom Harrington, and now Ashcraft. Chandler is highly regarded, and his wait for a call-up raises eyebrows.

Ashcraft’s journey to the majors hasn’t been easy. The Pirates picked him in the second round of the 2018 draft, but injuries—including Tommy John surgery in 2021—hampered his progress. Despite these setbacks, Pittsburgh added him to their 40-man roster ahead of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. In 2024, he showed promise in the minors, despite dealing with some forearm inflammation.

At Triple-A this season, Ashcraft posted a 5.03 ERA over 48.1 innings. However, a high .361 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) has inflated that figure. His 51.1% groundball rate and 25.6% strikeout rate show his potential, even if his control has wavered.

Scouting reports suggest that Ashcraft might excel in relief roles, partly due to his injury history and an inconsistent changeup. He boasts a strong fastball clocking in at 95-98 mph, along with an interesting slider and curveball.

With the Pirates’ rotation currently full and Chandler expected to debut soon, Ashcraft’s new bullpen role allows him to step into the Major Leagues. This gives him room to prove himself while potentially paving the way for a future as a starter. For now, he’ll aim to help stabilize the Pirates’ bullpen.

Ashcraft’s story reflects a broader trend in sports where teams increasingly recognize the value of hybrid roles for pitchers. As the game evolves, many find success by adapting their skills rather than sticking solely to traditional starting or relieving roles. Keeping an eye on how Ashcraft fares in his new role will be interesting, especially as teams across the league explore new strategies.

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