Braxton Ashcraft - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

National experts just gave this Pirates rookie a big-time endorsement Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in May, and he has already earned national rec...

NOVEMBER 14 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Pirates to keep Don Kelly as manager after improvements in second half

The Pittsburgh Pirates are keeping Don Kelly as manager

SEPTEMBER 29 • Associated Press

Marté robs Reynolds of tying homer in 9th, Reds beat Pirates, stay 1 game behind Mets for wild card

Noelvi Marté robbed Bryan Reynolds of a tying home run in the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 to remain one game behind the New York Mets for...

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Falters late vs. Reds 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.

Impact Ashcraft was sharp early, holding the Reds scoreless through his first four innings, but he'd stumble 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 with a 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.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Are Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft and Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft related? Fanduel Sports Network's Jim Day said Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft was curious, and had to check with his dad about their relatives from Tex...

SEPTEMBER 25 • CINCINNATI.COM

Stephenson leads Reds against the Pirates after 4-hit game

The Cincinnati Reds play the Pittsburgh Pirates after Tyler Stephenson's four-hit game on Wednesday

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Bubba Chandler, 2 relievers combine on one-hitter as Pirates defeat A's 2-0 to end 5-game skid

Rookie Bubba Chandler and two relievers combined on a one-hitter, and Nick Yorke and Bryan Reynolds hit home runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates downed the Athletics 2-0 on Saturday nig...

SEPTEMBER 21 • Associated Press

Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft combine for 12 strikeouts as Pirates shut out Athletics The Pittsburgh Pirates had lost 12 of their past 13 games entering their penultimate home game of the season, but Bubba Chandler had the per...

SEPTEMBER 21 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Braxton Ashcraft proves why you shouldn't give up on this Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Pittsburgh Pirates’ hurler Braxton Ashcraft has had a strong rookie campaign (even if he isn't getting the credit he deserves for it). He ha...

SEPTEMBER 19 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Suffers third loss 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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Taillon shines, Busch and Crow-Armstrong homer as Cubs beat Pirates 4-0 to close on playoffs berth

Jameson Taillon allowed two hits in six innings, and Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong homered as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 and got closer to clinching a...

SEPTEMBER 16 • Associated Press

Pirates host Chicago Cubs, look to stop home losing streak

The Pittsburgh Pirates aim to break their three-game home skid with a victory over the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Returning to starting role Monday The Pirates list Ashcraft as their probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Cubs at PNC Park.

Impact In his most recent appearance during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles, Ashcraft covered three innings out of the bullpen while piggybacking starter Mike Burrows, who was lifted after covering the first four frames. The Pirates look set to break up the tandem and move to a six-man rotation during the upcoming week, as Burrows will start Sunday's series finale in Washington while Ashcraft gets the ball for the first contest of a six-game homestand. Though he's returning to a starting role, Ashcraft could still have his workload monitored carefully Monday since he's already tossed 32.2 more innings in 2025 than he did during the 2024 season.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to starting role Monday The Pirates list Ashcraft as their probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Cubs at PNC Park.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Works three innings Ashcraft allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Wednesday against the Orioles.

Impact Mike Burrows drew the traditional start, but Ashcraft followed him into the game to work in bulk relief. He struggled to consistently hit the zone, with only 36 of his 63 pitches finding the strike zone. While he was inefficient, Ashcraft also racked up seven swinging strikes and recorded all three of his outs via strikeout in the fifth inning. Ashcraft has a 2.72 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 36.1 innings since the All-Star break, though most of those appearances have come either in bulk relief or shortened starts.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Works three innings Ashcraft allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Wednesday against the Orioles.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Yin and yang: Burrows, Ashcraft piggybacking off each other with flourish BALTIMORE -- At first glance, you might be able to pass off that Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows don’t play the same position, or maybe ev...

SEPTEMBER 10 • MLB.COM

Makes abbreviated start Wednesday Ashcraft took a no-decision in his start during Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers, striking out four batters while allowing two hits and four walks over three scoreless frames.

Impact After working at least five innings in each of his last three starts, Ashcraft tossed just 71 pitches before being lifted from Wednesday's contest. Ashcraft's early exit looks to have been a pre-planned arrangement; the right-hander has now totaled 103.2 innings between the majors and Triple-A Indianapolis this season, an increase of nearly 30 innings from what he covered during his time in the minors in 2024. The Pirates are also looking to manage the workload of one of their other young starters in Mike Burrows, who was moved to the bullpen last week and ended up tossing three innings in relief of Ashcraft on Wednesday. Though Ashcraft should continue to make starts for the Pirates, it wouldn't be surprising if he was deployed in tandem with Burrows in his future turns through the rotation.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates shut out the Dodgers as Ohtani skips scheduled start on the mound due to illness

Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds homered to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers

SEPTEMBER 4 • Associated Press

Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen homer as Pirates shut out Dodgers to clinch series win Just as the Pittsburgh Pirates were preaching about how no lead was safe against the star-studded lineup of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they di...

SEPTEMBER 4 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Pirates play the Dodgers on home winning streak

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to extend a five-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 3 • Associated Press

Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Home Run for Dodgers in 9-7 Win Over Pirates

Shohei Ohtani hit his 100th home run for the Dodgers on a solo shot in the third inning against the Pirates on Tuesday night.

SEPTEMBER 3 • FOX SPORTS

Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Home Run for Dodgers in 9-7 Win Over Pirates

Pirates Rookie Battled Through Strong Start Despite 'Nothing' Feeling Good Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft said he didn't have his best stuff during Thursday's start against the St. Louis Cardinals.

AUGUST 29 • SPORTSNETPITTSBURGH.COM

Ashcraft making the most of audition in starting rotation ST. LOUIS -- Braxton Ashcraft had a simple answer to what felt good during his start on Thursday. “Nothing,” he said. Calling it “a grind,”...

AUGUST 28 • MLB.COM

Continues steady run Thursday Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Impact Ashcraft turned in his third consecutive start of at least five innings while yielding one run or zero. With Andrew Heaney having been designated for assignment by the Pirates, Ashcraft has a fairly clear path to a starting role in the rotation to wrap up the season. The rookie right-hander has a promising 2.58 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB across his first 52.1 innings, though a scheduled matchup against the Dodgers next week might curb his streaming appeal a bit for his next turn.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

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