CHICAGO -- The Pirates employ the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner in Paul Skenes. Bubba Chandler has been named an NL Rookie of the Year candidate for 2026, while Mitch Keller is the highest-paid and second-longest-tenured player on the team. He's also delivered quality starts in 20 of his past 35 outings (57.1%).
But what about Braxton Ashcraft?
Not sure we’re talking enough about the 26-year-old right-hander who's been flat-out dominant since transitioning from a bullpen role to starting last season ... and since that time has been operating in some rarified air.
Ashcraft has started three times for the Pirates this season, producing a 2.12 ERA, plus a 1.00 WHIP, 1.65 FIP and .200 batting average against. In his latest start, Saturday during the Pirates’ 4-3 victory over the Cubs in 11 innings at Wrigley Field, Ashcraft was once again outstanding, striking out a career-high nine over five innings of one-run ball.
“He did phenomenal,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Filled the zone up with a lot of different stuff. His fastball was electric, up to 98 [mph] at times. Was able to throw all of his pitches for strikes.”
It’s been that way pretty much every time Ashcraft takes the mound. Since the ball really started rolling on his move from the bullpen to starting last season, Ashcraft has been among the best starting pitchers in the game.
The date I chose was Aug. 9, 2025. That was technically Ashcraft’s second start, but it began a stretch where he started six times in his final appearances.
Coupled with what he’s done this season, Ashcraft has been worth 1.8 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs. That’s the same as Bethel Park’s Mason Miller (Padres) and more than both Cy Young Award winners: Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (1.6) and Paul Skenes (1.7).
I’m not saying Ashcraft is a better pitcher than Skubal or Skenes. That’s a heavy lift. But I do believe that we don’t talk about Ashcraft enough.
He’s become an elite starter, and he’s done it with some really nasty stuff.
“The consistency of knowing when I’m going to throw, being on a set routine, has helped me put in some good work from start to start,” Ashcraft said. “It helps develop the arsenal and being able to get better zones with pitches.”
Entering Saturday, Ashcraft’s 2.18 ERA over the first 10 starts of his Major League career trailed only Cy Blanton (1.23, 1934-35), Zach Duke (1.81, 2005) and Paul Skenes (2.12, 2024) for the lowest mark by any Pirates pitcher through their first 10 starts in the Live Ball Era (since 1920).
Furthermore, he’s allowed just one home run over his first 11 MLB starts, his 0.30 home runs allowed per nine innings the lowest such mark by a Pirate across his first 11 starts since Bob Veale (0.15) from 1962-63.
“He did a great job last year in a lot of different roles,” Kelly said. “Started, came on in relief, closed some games, and I think his mindset and attitude have been phenomenal throughout. He loves to start, he makes that well known, and he’s done a great job starting. He did a great job last year and this year.”
Ashcraft’s curveball to this point has been virtually unhittable. Opponents have a .059 average against the pitch, plus a whiff rate of 53.9%.
He’s sinker has also been extremely effective, producing a .182 batting average against. A year after opponents hit .323 against Ashcraft’s four-seamer, that mark has dropped to .222.
The only not-elite number has been Ashcraft’s slider, which has produced a .300 batting average against. Given the success of that pitch last season (.225 average, 32.4% whiff rate) it’s probably only a matter of time.
“Just trying to flip the script a little bit and be a little bit more unpredictable than I was last year,” Ashcraft said. “Especially being able to come up with a plan, being able to use my arsenal in a way that allows me to go deeper into games and get through the lineup more than two times effectively.”
Given how well Ashcraft has pitched thus far for the Pirates, there’s no reason to change what he’s doing. It’s only a matter of time until more people start taking notice.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.