Ashcraft (8-3) earned the win Monday against the Phillies, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out eight.
Ashcraft was hit pretty hard, serving up a season-high three home runs, but he lasted long enough to turn in his third consecutive start with at least six innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has been mostly dependable in 2026 in spite of Monday's hiccup, giving up two runs or fewer in 13 of his 17 outings while working at least five frames in all but one. Ashcraft will take a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 115:23 K:BB over 102.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance against an upstart Nationals lineup.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Dominant again Wednesday
Rotowire
Ashcraft (7-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Mariners, allowing a run on five hits over six innings. He struck out 10.
After allowing a run on three straight singles to open the first inning, Ashcraft settled in and held Seattle to just two additional hits over his final five frames en route to his seventh victory this season. The 26-year-old Ashcraft has held opponents to two runs or fewer while going at least six frames in seven of his last 10 outings. His ERA is down to 3.07 through 16 starts (96.2 innings) with a 1.09 WHIP and 107:22 K:BB. Ashcraft is currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Phillies his next time out.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Gets back in win column
Rotowire
Ashcraft (6-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Wednesday.
Ashcraft had his best start of June in this outing, throwing 58 of 93 pitches for strikes while issuing his most free passes since late April. This was his ninth quality start in 15 games this season. He has a 3.18 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 97:22 K:BB through 90.2 innings on the year. Ashcraft has largely taken care of business in easy matchups, giving him a reliable floor in fantasy. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Mariners.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Cruises through 6.1 IP for win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (4-2) earned the win Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.1 innings.
The Pittsburgh offense gave Ashcraft plenty of run support, hammering Cubs starter Jordan Wicks for eight runs over 4.1 frames, and Ashcraft held up his end of things to pick up his fourth victory. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in all five starts this month and generated 14 swinging strikes on 95 pitches Tuesday. Ashcraft has plus stuff with an upper 90s fastball and one of the better cutters in the sport. He's in the 89th percentile in chase rate and lowered his ERA to 2.75 with a 70:17 K:BB across 68.2 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Sharp again in third win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (3-2) earned the win Thursday over the Cardinals, allowing a run on four hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out nine.
Ashcraft was impressive Thursday, holding St. Louis to a lone run on an Ivan Herrera homer while matching a season high with nine strikeouts. Ashcraft has pitched into the seventh inning in four consecutive starts, posting a 2.14 ERA in that span (28.1 innings). Overall, his ERA is down to 2.89 with a 1.03 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB across 10 starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft will look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to come at home against the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Settles for no-decision Friday
Rotowire
Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Phillies, giving up four runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The 26-year-old righty had a quality start through six innings with the Pirates holding a 6-3 lead, but manager Don Kelly tried to coax one more frame out of Ashcraft. He got two outs after a leadoff single, but then got lifted after 100 pitches (76 strikes) and had to watch Mason Montgomery serve up a two-run shot to Kyle Schwarber, with the rest of the bullpen ultimately costing Ashcraft his third win of the year. Ashcraft will take a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 56:14 K:BB through 55.1 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week in St. Louis.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Strong showing in win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (2-2) allowed one run on six hits and struck out six without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Giants.
Ashcraft has gone seven frames in three of his last four starts, though this was his first win in that span. He's picked up five quality starts in eight outings this season, his first as a full-time starter in the majors. The 26-year-old is at a 2.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 51:14 K:BB through 48.2 innings this year and seems to be trending up with his recent performances. He is projected to make his next start at home versus the Phillies.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Expected back for Tuesday's start
Rotowire
Ashcraft (personal) is expected to be activated from the bereavement list in time to start Tuesday's game versus the Cardinals, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Ashcraft was placed on the bereavement list Saturday, but he will not have to miss a start, only getting his turn pushed back one day. The young right-hander is sitting on a 2.43 ERA and 32:9 K:BB over his first 29.2 innings this season and is a must-start against a lackluster Cardinals lineup.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Strong showing in no-decision
Rotowire
Ashcroft didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after tossing seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Had Ashcraft received a little more support from an offense that woke up to score four runs in the top of the ninth inning, he could've easily earned the win after a solid outing. Ashcraft continued his strong start to the campaign with a fifth straight start in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs, and he's pitched at least six innings three times in that stretch. The right-hander will take his 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 29.2 innings into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Fans nine in no-decision
Rotowire
Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out nine.
The 26-year-old right-hander was dominant once again, generating 16 swinging strikes on 77 pitches (50 total strikes), and Ashcraft left the mound in line for his second win in three starts before Dennis Santana blew the save in the ninth and sent the game to extras. The nine Ks were a new career high for Ashcraft, just one outing after he'd reset the counter to eight, and through his first 17 innings as a full-time starting pitcher he's posted a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is set to come at home next week against the Nationals.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Six strong innings Monday
Rotowire
Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander was saddled with a tough-luck loss, logging a quality start in his season debut. The four walks allowed matched a career high for Ashcraft, but it was still a fine showing overall at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Ashcraft's next start is scheduled to come over the weekend at home versus the Orioles, and he'll be trying to reach the 90-pitch mark after tossing 87 pitches Monday.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Three clean innings
Rotowire
Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings while walking one, allowing one hit and striking out two in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Ashcraft entered the spring with a presumed spot in Pittsburgh's rotation, and his work through two exhibition starts seems to have confirmed that. He ramped up to three innings and 38 pitches Saturday, and he's now allowed just one earned run with a 3:1 K:BB across five total frames.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Falters late vs. Reds
Rotowire
Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Ashcraft was sharp early, holding the Reds scoreless through his first four innings, but he stumbled in the fifth, allowing a pair of runs after giving up four straight hits to open the frame. While it didn't end on a high note, Ashcraft had a strong rookie campaign as a swingman in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He'll likely be in the mix to claim a rotation spot in 2026.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Suffers third loss
Rotowire
Ashcraft (4-3) took the loss Monday against the Cubs, conceding three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.
The rookie right-hander stumbled in this 70-pitch outing, as he coughed up a career-worst six hits. Ashcraft strolled through two scoreless frames before faltering in the third, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. In 62.1 big-league innings, the 25-year-old has produced a 2.74 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 60:23 while bouncing between various roles as a starter and reliever. Given that Ashcraft has already tossed a career-high 110.2 frames across all levels this season, the Pirates will likely limit his usage down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Drawing another start
Rotowire
Ashcraft is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
After making his previous nine appearances out of the bullpen, Ashcraft picked up his second MLB start this past weekend against the Reds as a replacement in the rotation for Johan Oviedo, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Though he was limited to 56 pitches in his outing versus Cincinnnati, Ashcraft was effective during his time on the mound, striking out five while allowing five baserunners over 3.1 innings. He'll be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation this weekend, and Ashcraft could push his pitch count up to the 65-to-80 range now that he's on a starter's schedule. Whether Ashcraft will be stick around in the rotation for the rest of the season is still unclear; Friday marks the first day that prospects who are called up for the first time in 2025 won't be able to exceed 45 days of service time, which will keep them eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year Award consideration. With that in mind, prized pitching prospect Bubba Chandler could soon get called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut, and Ashcraft may move back to the bullpen to accommodate him.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Pirates manager Don Kelly said that Ashcraft will start Saturday's game against the Reds, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Ashcraft will be making his second start of the season after posting a 3.24 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 33.1 innings with the Pirates while primarily serving as a middle reliever. The 25-year-old righty had been starting at Triple-A Indianapolis before being called up in late May, but since then, he's maxed out at three innings at the big-league level on three occasions. Additionally, Ashcraft will be taking the mound on three days' rest, so the Pirates are unlikely to let the right-hander work deep enough into Saturday's start to qualify for a win. With a strong showing against the Reds, Ashcraft could stick around in the rotation on a more permanent basis.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Earns win in relief
Rotowire
Ashcraft (2-0) was the pitcher of record in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Mets after allowing one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings of relief.
After making a three-inning start in his first MLB start during Monday's win over the Brewers, Ashcraft shifted back to the bullpen this weekend. He entered Saturday's contest in the top of the second inning following a lengthy rain delay, relieving starter Bailey Falter. Ashcraft wasn't especially dominant Saturday and induced only five swinging strikes on his 52 pitches, but he largely worked his way out of trouble in both the third and fourth frames. The right-hander is likely to serve as a multi-inning reliever for Pittsburgh moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Goes three frames in first start
Rotowire
Ashcraft did not factor into the decision in Monday's 5-4 win at Milwaukee, allowing one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
The 25-year-old rookie made all seven of his previous appearances out of the bullpen, so he wasn't expected to go deep in this contest. Ashcraft managed to stymy the Brewers lineup across his 35 total pitches, 28 of which were strikes. Prior to being called up May 26, the right-hander had started 10 games for Triple-A Indianapolis, so it is possible that the Pirates are seeking to incorporate Ashcraft into the big league rotation. Through 14.2 total major-league innings, he has pitched to a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Three shutout innings in debut
Rotowire
Ashcraft allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one across three scoreless relief innings Monday against the Diamondbacks.
Ashcraft was promoted to the majors Monday and immediately made his debut working out of the bullpen. He pitched with the Pirates down by five but managed a scoreless outing and preserved the team's bullpen. Ashcraft may remain in a long-relief role for the time being, but as one of the organization's best prospects, he should have a chance to enter the rotation at some point during the summer.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
Ashcraft (forearm) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Ashcraft has been on the Triple-A IL since July 17 with lateral forearm tightness, but he threw a live batting practice earlier this week and has now been cleared to return. The 24-year-old has a combined 2.88 ERA in 72 innings across Double-A and Triple-A.
