Former Altoona Curve teammates unsurprised by Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft's ascent

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft had a workmanlike attitude at the start of the season when weighing potential promotions and whether his immediate future was as a starter or reliever.

“It’s my job to play, not to play (general manager),” Ashcraft said. “I’m going to go out and get outs whenever they tell me to and maximize my time on the mound whenever that comes.”

At the time, Ashcraft was preparing to get to work with the Altoona Curve, with whom he began the 2024 campaign.

Now, whether he likes it or not, talk of promotions and his usage as a pitcher have circled back to the forefront, with Ashcraft earning assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 11.

A soft landing with the Indians has created buzz that Ashcraft could be a player the Pirates call on as a major-league reinforcement at some point this year.

“He’s doing really well,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “He’s in Triple-A, had a couple really good outings. He’s putting himself in a position to help us at some point.

“ … Certainly we project him as a starter. We believe he has the build, the physical build, the delivery, the pitches, certainly the strike-throwing delivery and the overall stuff to do that.”

This spring, lingering questions did surround Ashcraft, a second-round draft pick (No. 51 overall) by the Pirates in 2018 who ranks as the club’s No. 5 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, chiefly because of his unfortunate injury history, which included Tommy John surgery in 2021.

If his performance at Altoona and Indianapolis serves as any guide, limitations stemming from past procedures appear to be in the rearview mirror for Ashcraft.

The 24-year-old whose fastball clocks in the high 90s was not sharp in April with the Curve, posting a 6.91 ERA through four appearances.

But from there, he began pitching at an elite level.

In May, he went 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA, striking out 39 with just six walks over 32 1/3 innings.

After he struck out a career-high 12 in his final Curve outing, the Pirates’ brass had seen enough, leading to his promotion to Triple-A.

Braxton Ashcraft becomes:

The 19th MiLB pitcher this season with multiple 10+ K games

The 6th MiLB pitcher this season with a 0 BB, 12+ K game

The 5th Curve pitcher in franchise history to strikeout 12+ batters.

He finished one shy of Tom Gorzelanny’s Curve record of 13 K. https://t.co/QHWcgYl2fZ

— Preston Shoemaker (@prestonshoe21) June 7, 2024

“Everyone was super pumped to see him get out of here,” said Pirates No. 2 prospect and Curve starter Bubba Chandler. “It was kind of, I don’t want to say silly that he was here, but his last however many outings were just stupid (good).

“He was ready to go up, a spot opened up there, he got it and he deserved it. He’s still doing what he’s doing up there, and he’ll be doing that in Pittsburgh probably sooner rather than later. Super pumped to see him do that.”

Since arriving in Indianapolis, Ashcraft has needed no time to get settled.

Two days after his promotion, he started for the Indians, tossing six innings, allowing one run and striking out four.

His last two outings on June 19 and 25 were scoreless affairs.

So far, he owns a 0.59 ERA at Triple-A through a handful of starts.

Check out this disgusting Braxton Ashcraft breaking ball. Already has 11 whiffs through three innings. pic.twitter.com/n8RftJMZQt

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) June 19, 2024

Dating to May, with the Curve and Indians, Ashcraft has a 1.98 ERA in his last 10 appearances.

“It was awesome to see him go through his day-to-day and have success on the mound,” said Altoona pitcher Thomas Harrington, the Pirates’ No. 4 overall prospect. “Looking forward to seeing him continue to do what he’s doing.”

Suffice to say, across the board, Ashcraft’s former teammates in Altoona are unsurprised to see him realize his full potential.

With respect to the Pirates calling Ashcraft’s number at some point, a consensus among those who have shared a locker room with him is that it’s a matter of when, not if.

“His stuff is electric,” Curve reliever Justin Meis said. “I saw a couple of his starts up in Triple-A — he’s throwing it really well. He really made a big leap, and his stuff is as good as it gets. We’re super excited for him. I don’t think anyone was surprised that he got the call. He was really, really pitching well.

“Seeing him day in and day out, his work ethic and everything, his stats speaks for itself, but the way he goes about his business, he’s a true professional. We were all pumped for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the call (to Pittsburgh) later in the year. He is that good.”