Braxton Ashcraft is heading into the 2026 season as one of the key members of the rotation after his extremely impressive rookie campaign. The right-hander could be one of the best pitchers in baseball, if he lives up to his potential he flashed in 2025. However, the fact that he is in this position in the first place is a borderline miracle. Ashcraft has become one of the Pirates' greatest developmental success stories.
The Pirates originally selected Ashcraft in the second round of the 2018 draft. Heading into the draft, the then-talented high schooler ranked as MLB Pipeline's 64th best draft prospect and Baseball America's 58th best. A two-sport star, Ashcraft's athleticism and projectability earned him a ton of praise. The Pirates signed Ashcraft for just a few thousand dollars over slot value. However, Ashcraft didn't start his pro career off with a bang.
Between 2018 and 2019, Ashcraft pitched just 70.2 innings in rookie ball and Low-A West Virginia. The right-hander put up a meager 5.08 ERA, 4.53 FIP, and 1.30 WHIP. He only struck out 16.5% of opponents while dishing out a walk at an 8.7% rate. On the plus side, he showed off his ability to limit home runs early in his pro career, with a 0.76 HR/9 ratio. Ashcraft missed time in 2019 due to a bone graft and tendon transfer in his right shoulder. This would be the start of the laundry list of injuries for Ashcraft.
Then in 2020, Ashcraft suffered a torn meniscus. He didn't miss any games because COVID-19 cancelled the minor league season. Ashcraft returned to the mound in 2021 at High-A Greensboro, but made only 10 starts, during which he posted an ERA and a FIP over 5.00. He did have a solid 25.9% K% and 7.6% BB%, but that's where the positives end. Ashcraft would undergo Tommy John surgery, which also kept him out for all of 2022.
Up to this point, Ashcraft has been in the Pirates' organization since June 2018. Between the day he signed (June 23) up through the end of 2022, Ashcraft had pitched just 109.1 innings. He now had elbow, shoulder, and knee surgeries all within the first four seasons of his pro career. Neither MLB Pipeline, nor Baseball America listed Ashcraft among the Pirates’ top 30 prospects. However, that only made what Ashcraft was about to do next more impressive.
Ashcraft remained healthy for most of 2023. The Bucs still limited him to just 52.2 innings due to his lack of workload in previous seasons. But he was outright dominant, working to a 2.39 ERA, 2.85 FIP, and 1.08 WHIP. He struck out nearly 30% of opponents with a 29.6% K%, and only walked 5.2% of batters. Ashcraft's workload increased in 2024, with 73 innings pitched. He still remained dominant, with a 2.84 ERA, 25.8% K%, and 4% BB%.
Ashcraft started the 2025 season out at Triple-A. However, after putting up a 25.6% K% and 8.7% BB%, the Pirates finally called him up to the Major Leagues. Ashcraft pitched three scoreless innings in his MLB debut and didn't look back. Overall, he tallied 69.2 innings, working to the tune of a 2.71 ERA, 2.78 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP. Ashcraft had a respectable 8.2% walk rate and 24.3% strikeout percentage. The right-hander also excelled at limiting hard contact and home runs, with an 88 MPH exit velocity, 4.6% barrel rate, and 0.39 HR/9 ratio. The rookie dominated down the line, with a 2.23 ERA, 29.1% K%, and 8.1% BB% throughout his final nine outings, seven of which were starts.
Don’t let the fact that Ashcraft did not get a single Rookie of the Year vote distract you from simply being one of the most dominant rookie pitchers in 2025. His 158 ERA+ was the third-best among rookie hurlers with 60+ IP. He was also one of only three rookies with an ERA+ of 150 or greater last year. His FIP was the second best, and just barely behind Matt Svanson of the St. Louis Cardinals at 2.72. Ashcraft also had the best HR/9 ratio.
For many pitchers, missing nearly three-and-a-half straight seasons, including multiple major surgeries to key ligaments and joints, is a death sentence for a pro baseball career. But for Ashcraft, it only seems like a minor setback. Ashcraft rebounded, became one of the Pirates’ best prospects once again, then dominated in his first season in Major League Baseball. Now, he is returning as an important member of the Pirates' rotation.
