PITTSBURGH -- Braxton Ashcraft didn’t have many plans for the All-Star break. He was going to return home to Texas and take some pregnancy pictures with his wife. Those will have to wait.
MLB announced on Tuesday that Ashcraft will take fellow Pirates starter Paul Skenes’ place on the National League roster. Skenes is scheduled to start the Pirates' first-half finale against the Brewers on Sunday, two days before the Midsummer Classic.
“It’s cool. It’s a really cool opportunity,” Ashcraft said. “It’s cool to be recognized by your peers and the league, to represent the team in that situation. It’s surreal. It’s something every kid dreams of coming into baseball. Just really cool to be able to live that.”
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Putting together arguably their best first half in more than a decade, the Pirates were hopeful that more winning would correlate with sending more players to the All-Star Game. However, the only Pirate named to the NL team during Saturday night’s initial roster reveal was Skenes. It’s the third consecutive All-Star nod for Skenes, who started each of the past two Midsummer Classics for the NL.
Knowing he would be replaced on the roster due to his start on Sunday, Skenes wasted no time campaigning for his rotation mate after Saturday’s game.
“I’m throwing on Sunday,” Skenes said. “So I would hope that would open up a spot, and hopefully, Braxton takes it.”
Ashcraft was informed a few hours before Tuesday’s game by Pirates manager Don Kelly, who asked Ashcraft if he was able to throw in the game. Ashcraft said absolutely, and Kelly pulled the team together to inform them of the news.
“So cool for Braxton. He’s totally earned it,” Kelly said. “Deserves it. Such a great moment for him and Pirate fans, the development of Braxton from being drafted and him coming up last year in different roles. He’s been through a bunch of injuries. For him to have this honor that he deserves is really special.”
Ashcraft is in his first full season as an MLB starter after multiple injury-riddled seasons and time out of the bullpen in 2025. He has blossomed into one of Pittsburgh’s best, tallying nine wins.
Here’s a closer look at the Pirates’ All-Star pitchers:
Paul Skenes, RHP
Previous All-Star appearances: 2 (2024, ‘25)
Something to know: Skenes is the fourth pitcher in MLB history to make the Midsummer Classic in each of his first three seasons, joining Yu Darvish, Dwight Gooden and Tom Seaver.
Braxton Ashcraft, RHP
Previous All-Star appearances: N/A
Something to know: Ashcraft is in his first full season as an MLB starter, recording a 3.24 ERA in 108 1/3 innings. He started only eight Major League games before 2026.