Rum Bunter's top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects: Where does Konnor Griffin debut?

Number Five: Braxton Ashcraft

Heading into 2023, there were questions about Braxton Ashcraft's long term outlook. He barely pitched from 2020 through 2022, missing time because of the canceled COVID season, as well as myriad injuries. He then returned in '23 and posted impressive numbers, albeit while being limited and only pitching 52.2 innings in 19 outings.

Ashcraft has gotten more work in during 2024, already pitching 72 frames between Altoona and Indianapolis, and he's been great. He has a 2.88 ERA, 2.94 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP. Ashcraft has struck out 25.9% of opponents with a sub-5% walk rate of 4.1%. This has led to an elite 6.62 K:BB ratio, the 13th best among minor-league pitchers with at least a dozen games started. 

Ashcraft was sitting 94-96 MPH with his fastball in 2023, and many wondered if he could maintain that velocity. So far, that hasn't been an issue in 2024. This pitch also has a plus ride through the zone. The right-hander utilizes an upper-80s slider with nearly 32 inches of break. Although his four-seamer and slider are his best offerings, Ashcraft also possesses a low-80s curveball with 51.5 inches of drop. He's also tinkering with a changeup, which is easily his worst offering.

There's no question about Ashcraft's ability to locate in the zone. He has the eighth-best walk rate of any minor-league pitcher since the start of 2023 with at least 25 games started, sitting at 4.5%. He is only one of nine pitchers with a sub-5% BB% in the same time frame, and the same minimum number of games started.

Ashcraft's huge comeback and further success has been massive for the Pirates' future outlook. The Pirates opted to protect him from the Rule 5 draft by placing him on their 40-man roster this past offseason, which puts him right on the doorstep of the big leagues. If Ashcraft isn't out for very long, we could see him at least make his major league debut this season.