|
BRAXTON ASHCRAFT, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
|
| Born: October 5, 1999 Height: 6′ 5″ Weight: 195 Bats: Left Throws: Right Drafted: 2nd Round, 51st Overall, 2018 How Acquired: Draft High School: Robinson HS Agent: N/A |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
| Ashcraft is very athletic for a pitcher; he also played wide receiver, catching 37 touchdowns and 204 passes for over 2,090 yards his junior year. His stock rose in 2018, as he saw a velocity increase that led to him sitting at 89-93 MPH, touching as high as 95. His fastball has movement and sinking action, due to the high angle from his tall frame, and he had good projection. Ashcraft at the time threw a slider and needed to develop a changeup. When he returned from Tommy John surgery in 2023, he was averaging 95 mph with his fastball and was going heavily with a cutter and curve. Ashcraft had a commitment to Baylor but signed two and a half weeks after the draft. He got $1.825M, well above the slot amount of $1,382,400.
2018 The Pirates activated Ashcraft in time to make five GCL starts, working his way up to five innings in his last start. He pitched better than his ERA indicates. 2019 The Pirates normally send prep pitching draftees to Bristol for their first full seasons, but they sent Ashcraft and Michael Burrows to West Virginia, a reflection of their regard for the two. Ashcraft didn’t have an easy time, although he did better than the ERA implies. Opponents had a 239/319/390 line against him, which except for the slugging was close to league average. His xFIP of 4.22 was great, but it was a lot better than the ERA. Things seemed to go south with runners on base: opponents had a .527 OPS against him with nobody on, but battered him to the tune of .934 with runners on base. He also had trouble with left-handed hitters, as they had an .847 OPS against him, compared to .614 by right-handed hitters. Ashcraft may have been impacted by an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. 2020 Ashcraft was in fall instructionals and his left shoulder appeared to be healthy. According to Ashcraft himself, it was the first time in a long time since he’d been fully healthy. 2021 The Pirates moved Ashcraft up to Greensboro and he pitched very well through his first four starts. After that, he started struggling. After ten starts total, he went on the injured list and ultimately had Tommy John surgery. Even with the poor ERA for the season, Ashcraft’s other numbers were still good, except he gave up eight home runs, better than one every five innings. He gave up more on the road than at home, so it wasn’t the Greensboro ballpark. 2022 The surgery kept Ashcraft out all year. Hopefully, Ashcraft will be ready to go in spring 2023. |
|
CONTRACT INFORMATION
|
| 2023: Minor league contract |
|
PLAYER INFORMATION
|
| Signing Bonus: $1,825,000 MiLB Debut: 2018 MLB Debut: MiLB FA Eligible: 2024 MLB FA Eligible: Rule 5 Eligible: 2022 Added to 40-Man: Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
|
TRANSACTIONS
|
| June 4, 2018: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round, 51st overall pick; signed on June 22. |
