MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers signed left-hander Aaron Ashby on Saturday to a five-year contract through 2027, with club options for '28 and '29. The announcement was made by president of baseball operations David Stearns.
“We are very happy to reach a multi-year agreement with Aaron,” Stearns said in a club release. “Throughout his time in our organization, Aaron has demonstrated a unique combination of persistence, character and talent. He is establishing himself as one of the premier young pitchers in baseball, and we look forward to watching his continued growth and success.”
Ashby, 24, was selected by Milwaukee in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Crowder College in Missouri. He is 5-9 with a 4.56 ERA and two saves in 31 games (16 starts) during his Major League career, producing 122 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings (10.91 K/9 IP).
"He’s very early in his big league career, but he's a player that I think everybody thinks can have great success in this league," manager Craig Counsell said. "I'm happy that it kind of worked out for both sides and that he's going to be a Brewer for a long time."
Ashby made his MLB debut with the Brewers last season, going 3-2 with a 4.55 ERA and one save in 13 games (four starts). Opponents batted just .210 as he struck out 39 batters in 31 2/3 innings. He is 2-7 with a 4.57 ERA and one save in 18 games (12 starts) this season, recording 83 strikeouts in just 69 innings.
"This is the organization that drafted me in 2018, and I've felt nothing but love, to be honest," Ashby said. "These guys have been awesome. Everyone in the Minor Leagues that has helped me. [Bullpen coach] Jim [Henderson] has been with me the entire time. I owe a lot of things to him for what he's done to help my career. There's a level of comfort here that's awesome."
Ashby was originally selected by Texas in the 25th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but he did not sign. He is the nephew of former Major League pitcher Andy Ashby, who pitched 13 seasons with Philadelphia (1991-92, '00), Colorado (1993), San Diego (1993-99, '04), Atlanta (2000) and Los Angeles-NL (2001-03).