Pirates Rookie Has Top 40 Career Value

He stayed in the bullpen until early August, when he made five straight starts and seven starts in his final nine appearances, as the Pirates coaching staff gave him more opportunities to go longer than he did previously.

Ashcraft finished with a 4-4 record over 26 appearances and eight starts, a 2.71 ERA over 69.2 innings pitched, 71 strikeouts to 24 walks, a .239 opposing batting average and a 1.25 WHIP. 

He had a 2.16 ERA over 33.1 innings pitched as a starting pitcher and a 3.22 ERA over 36.1 innings pitched as a reliever.

Why the Pirates Split Ashcraft Between Bullpen and Starting Pitcher

Much of the planning for Ashcraft dealt with his previous injuries, that forced him out for long periods of time away from baseball, after the Pirates took Ashcraft with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Robinson High School in Waco, Texas. 

Ashcraft underwent a latarjet procedure on his right shoulder in 2019, which involves a bone graft and tendon transfer, keeping him from pitching only two months with the West Virginia Black Bears in the New York-Penn League.

He suffered a torn meniscus after knee problems in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the minor league season.

Ashcraft made 10 starts with High-A Greensboro in 2021, before undergoing Tommy John surgery, ending his season in late July and keeping him out through all of 2022.

He finally progressed back and made it up through to Triple-A Indianapolis in 2024. He also made 10 starts and threw 48.1 innings pitched before joining the Pirates in late May.

His 118.0 innings pitched between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh was by far the most he's pitched, after his previous-high of 73.0 innings pitched in 2024.

What the Pirates Need from Ashcraft in 2026

Ashcraft will head into his first full season in 2026 and it will serve as a crucial one for the 26-year old.

He will compete for a spot in the starting rotation, which will feature Paul Skenes and most likely Mitch Keller, but also the likes of Johan Oviedo, Bubba Chandler and Mike Burrows fighting for a place.

Rookie left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco is also in the mix and so too is Jared Jones, who should return mid-season from his internal brace surgery. `

Ashcraft must use this second season as one where he finds his role on the team, either as that starting pitcher, a middle reliever or even as a high-leverage type of pitcher.

He possesses a strong arsenal of pitches with his slider, four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker and changeup, but there is always room for improvement.

Hitters thrived off his four-seam fastball, with a .323 batting average, and also against his changeup, with a .444 batting average, which he threw much less.

Ashcraft had great success with his slider, .225 batting average and a 32.4% whiff rate, and even better with his curveball, .122 batting average and a 36.6% whiff rate. His sinker also had success, with a .237 batting average, which might serve as a better option than his four-seam.

There is a lot of hope and excitement around Ashcraft from management, players and Pirates fans alike and they would love for him to have the success he aims for in Pittsburgh going forward.