GRAHAM ASHCRAFT NEWS

Reds' bats quiet behind Ashcraft's 4th straight quality start CINCINNATI -- Bad outings have been few and far between for Graham Ashcraft, who has recorded a quality start in eight of his past nine appe...

AUGUST 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Goes seven innings in loss Ashcraft (6-8) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings against the Guardians. He struck out two.

Impact After allowing a pair of runs in the opening inning, Ashcraft blanked the Guardians over his subsequent six frames before allowing a third run in the seventh. However, the Reds failed to generate any run support in a 3-0 loss. Ashcraft hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start since June 24 -- he's pitched to a 2.17 ERA over his last nine outings. Overall, the 25-year-old right-hander has a 4.89 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 90:48 K:BB across 23 starts (127 innings) this season. Ashcraft's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Angels in his next outing.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one run over seven frames Ashcraft did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 5-4 loss against the Marlins. He struck out seven.

Impact Ashcraft surrendered a leadoff home run to Josh Bell in top of the fourth but was otherwise dominant, allowing only two other hits in the game, which came in the first inning. The right-hander threw 17 first-pitch strikes while it was his third start this season in which he allowed just three hits. Ashcraft has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts and has allowed one run or fewer in five of those eight starts. With Thursday's performance he lowered his season ERA to 4.95 and has a 12:3 K:BB through two August starts.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ashcraft's strong start a breath of fresh air despite HRs CINCINNATI -- The Reds needed right-hander Graham Ashcraft to be good Friday night. Ashcraft answered the bell. But the Reds couldn't make h...

AUGUST 5, 2023 • MLB.COM

Loses lead in eighth inning Ashcraft did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over eight innings in a 6-3 loss against Washington. He struck out five.

Impact Ashcraft allowed just one run through seven and was a pitch away from escaping the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead, but Joey Meneses smashed a two-run homer to tie the game on Ashcraft's 100th pitch of the night. With that, Ashcraft's night ended on a bit of a sour note, but it was still another positive outing overall for the right-hander. Ashcraft has now turned in six quality starts in his last seven turns, bringing his ERA down to 5.18 for the season.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quiets Dodgers Ashcraft (6-7) allowed five hits and struck out two without walking a batter over six shutouts innings to earn the win Sunday over the Dodgers.

Impact Ashcraft continued a solid stretch that has seen him allow no more than two runs in any of his last six starts. This was his fifth quality start in that span, and it's also the second time he's tossed a scoreless appearance. The 25-year-old right-hander is at a 5.31 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 76:43 K:BB through 105 innings across 20 starts, but his recent pitching certainly makes him worth a look in most fantasy formats. Ashcraft is projected to make his next start at home versus the Nationals.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid again Monday Ashcraft allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Monday.

Impact Ashcraft tied a season high with four walks in the outing, but he avoided issuing multiple free passes in any one frame. The right-hander balanced the mild wildness with a campaign-best eight strikeouts, and he fell just two outs shy of a fifth straight quality start. Though Ashcraft has had some major blow-ups this season -- a big factor in his poor overall 5.64 ERA -- he's been pitching well since the end of June, posting a 2.10 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 30 innings covering his past five starts.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues strong pitching Wednesday Ashcraft (5-7) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six-plus innings.

Impact Ashcraft breezed through four scoreless frames before the Giants tagged him for a run in the fifth. The right-hander tossed a 1-2-3 sixth but surrendered a solo homer to Blake Sabol leading off the seventh, which led to his removal. Though his outing ended on that sour note, it was another strong performance overall by Ashcraft, as he notched his fourth straight quality start. Over that span, he's recorded a standout 1.82 ERA over 24.2 frames, though his mediocre 14:9 K:BB across the quality-start streak is fair reason to question whether it is sustainable.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quality start in loss Ashcraft (4-7) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Impact The two strikeouts do little to excite, but Ashcraft was efficient and kept the ball on the ground, resulting in his third straight quality start. He was outdueled by Corbin Burnes and company on the other side. Ashcraft has allowed a total of three earned runs over his last three starts spanning 18.2 innings after straying from his groundball ways and battling severe gopheritis in May and June. He should still be considered a volatile option given the lack of whiffs. Up next is a home start against the Giants.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid again in win Ashcraft (4-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out two.

Impact After allowing a run in the first inning, Ashcraft rebounded to blank the Nats over his final five frames en route to his first win since May 28. The 25-year-old Ashcraft has now delivered consecutive quality starts after pitching to a 12.82 ERA in his previous eight outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with an unsightly 6.28 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 61:35 K:BB across 16 starts (81.2 innings)

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

McCoy: De La Cruz, Votto go deep as Reds pound Nationals Graham Ashcraft put nine runners on base in the first four innings, Jake Fraley made the third out of an inning trying to go from first to t...

JULY 6, 2023 • DAYTONDAILYNEWS.COM

How a rebound by Ashcraft could affect the Reds This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularl...

JULY 2, 2023 • MLB.COM

Rebounds in no-decision Ashcraft was not involved in the decision Friday, when he allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.2 innings in a 7-5 extra-innings win over San...

Impact Ashcraft picked up an impotent offense and kept the team in the game until Cincinnati's bats got going over the final innings. It was a promising outing for the right-hander, who was knocked around in his last start and had an ugly 12.82 ERA in the previous eight outings. Ashcraft looked like the confident hurler seen earlier in the season, when he posted 2.00 ERA and averaged six innings over his first six starts.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Knocked around in return Ashcraft (3-6) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and striking out two batters over four-plus innings.

Impact Ashcraft faced a tough test in his return from a stint on the injured list due to a calf injury, and he was unable to contain Atlanta's potent offense. The right-hander served up a season-high three homers and yielded 10 total hits for the third time this season. Ashcraft hasn't pitched more than four innings in any of his three starts in June, giving up 19 earned runs 10.2 frames during the month. His ERA now sits at an ugly 7.17 on the campaign.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list The Reds reinstated Ashcraft (calf) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against Atlanta.

Impact After being placed on the injured list June 9 due to a comebacker that hit his left calf, Ashcraft will rejoin the Reds' rotation just in time to face one of the top offenses in baseball. Ashcraft made a start against Atlanta earlier this season, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters through six frames. Alan Busenitz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Ashcraft (calf) will return from the injured list and start Saturday's game against Atlanta, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ashcraft landed on the IL after taking a comebacker to his left calf June 9, and he officially return to the Reds' rotation in the minimum amount of time. The 25-year-old righty holds a 12.46 ERA and 2.17 WHIP across his last five starts, and he will face an Atlanta lineup that leads the majors in team OPS (.814) in his return.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On track for this weekend Ashcraft (calf) is expected to rejoin the Reds' rotation during their series this weekend against Atlanta, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The Reds have an off day Thursday and then will slot Ashcraft in sometime this weekend in place of the injured Hunter Greene (hip). Ashcraft is first eligible for activation Friday and it appears he will skip a rehab assignment. The big right-hander is working his way back from a left calf contusion.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Almost fully healed Ashcraft is nearly fully healed from the left calf contusion which sent him to the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Impact Ashcraft will test out the calf with some running soon and, assuming he gets through that with no issues, will be cleared to throw off a mound. The right-hander could throw three bullpen sessions before making a return sometime around when he's first eligible June 24.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reds place RHP Graham Ashcraft (calf) on injured list The Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Graham Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left calf contusion.

JUNE 9, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Placed on IL with calf injury Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left calf contusion.

Impact Ashcraft had indicated after taking a comebacker off the calf Thursday versus the Dodgers that he would be fine for his next turn in the rotation. However, given his struggles, it makes sense to give him some down time to get healthy and also work on things. With Ashcraft on the shelf, Andrew Abbott should remain in the Reds' rotation indefinitely.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Graham Ashcraft finally shows improvement — until bad luck strikes him right in the calf Ashcraft's miserable stretch continued Thursday, and it's possible his rotation spot is in jeopardy.

JUNE 8, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Fine after comebacker to leg Ashcraft (calf/knee) indicated Thursday that he'll be fine for his next turn in the rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Ashcraft took a comebacker to the calf in the third inning of his start Thursday afternoon against the Dodgers and said his knee locked up on him in the aftermath. He was eventually pulled from the game, having allowed three earned runs in 2.2 innings as his season ERA rose to 6.78. The 25-year-old currently lines up to start next week in Kansas City, but he should be avoided in fantasy and might be at risk of a demotion.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Early exit after comebacker Ashcraft was removed from his start Thursday versus the Dodgers after taking a comebacker off his leg, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ashcraft was struck by a ball off the bat of Austin Barnes in the top of the third inning. He tried to gut it out through another handful of hitters but looked to be in discomfort all the way up until the point when Reds manager David Bell finally yanked him. The 25-year-old pitched well over the first two frames but ultimately got charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks in 2.2 innings. He also plunked two batters and finished with only one strikeout.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Forgettable outing Saturday Ashcraft (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing 10 runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings in a 10-8 loss against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Impact Ashcraft allowed a season-high 10 earned runs, marking the fourth time over his past six outings that he's given up at least seven. He's also surrendered eight home runs during that span. It's certainly been a disappointing stretch for the right-hander, who posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.17 over his first six starts (36 innings), but he's not in danger of being demoted anytime soon, especially while the Reds deal with a couple injuries in their rotation. However, things don't get any easier for Ashcraft, who's scheduled to pitch next during the finale of a three-game set versus the Dodgers.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ashcraft aims to 'learn and adjust' while fighting through funk CINCINNATI -- The cascade of boos directed towards Graham Ashcraft in the third inning vs. the Brewers on Saturday was a new thing for him t...

JUNE 4, 2023 • MLB.COM