Braxton Ashcraft

Braxton Ashcraft, a promising talent in Major League Baseball, was born on October 5, 1999, in Waco, Texas. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 220 pounds, Ashcraft is a left-handed batter and right-handed pitcher known for his versatility on the field. He attended Robinson High School in Texas before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2018 MLB draft as the 8th pick. Ashcraft made his MLB debut on May 26, 2025, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, showcasing his skills as a relief pitcher. During the 2025 season, he played in 26 games, starting in 8 of them. His performance included an impressive Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.713 over 69.2 innings pitched, with 71 strikeouts and a WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) of 1.2488. His ability to keep opponents' batting average to .239 speaks to his defensive prowess on the mound. Despite not logging any saves, Ashcraft contributed significantly to his team's bullpen, securing 4 wins and holding batters to a slugging percentage of .341. His pitching arsenal includes a fastball with an average release speed of 97 mph, complemented by a slider and a curveball, making him a formidable presence against batters. Braxton Ashcraft's journey in the MLB is marked by his significant contributions to the Pirates, displaying a promising start to his professional career with strong performances and effective pitching strategies.