The Pittsburgh Pirates may have found something bigger than just another promising arm. According to reporting highlighted by Pirates On SI and Jim Rosati of North Shore Nine, Braxton Ashcraft is already putting himself in rare company alongside Paul Skenes, and the early data suggests this might not be a fluke.
Ashcraft’s first impression in the majors has quickly turned into something worth tracking across the league.
Ashcraft Joining Historic Company With Pirates
GettyBraxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with teammates after a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on March 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Through his first 10 career starts, Ashcraft holds a 2.18 ERA, placing him among the best starts by a Pirates pitcher in the live-ball era. That list includes names that matter in franchise history, and most notably, Skenes, who posted a 2.12 ERA during his dominant 2024 campaign.
That connection matters beyond just trivia.
Skenes established himself as a frontline ace almost immediately, and while it is far too early to put Ashcraft in that tier, being mentioned in the same statistical range signals legitimate upside. For a Pirates team trying to build a sustainable contender, developing another top-end starter internally would change everything.
Statcast Data Supports Ashcraft’s Early Success
GettyBraxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The surface numbers are strong, but the underlying metrics make the breakout more believable.
Ashcraft is holding opponents to a .187 expected batting average in 2026, backed by a 2.25 ERA across his first two starts this season. His fastball velocity sits at 96.4 mph, giving him a power foundation that plays at the top of the zone and sets up the rest of his arsenal.
What stands out most is the curveball.
Opponents have yet to record a hit against it this season, and it has generated a whiff rate north of 40%. That pitch alone gives Ashcraft a legitimate out pitch, something that separates potential starters from reliable ones.
His pitch mix adds another layer.
Ashcraft uses five pitches, including a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, curveball, and splitter. That variety allows him to attack hitters differently depending on handedness, keeping them off balance. His ground ball rate near 48% and hard-hit rate around league average show that he is not getting overly reliant on one approach.
In simple terms, hitters are not squaring him up consistently, and when they do make contact, it has not been damaging.
Long Development Path Now Paying Off
GettyRelief pitcher Braxton Ashcraft #67 of the Pittsburgh Pirates takes the sign during the seventh inning of his MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 26, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Ashcraft’s rise did not happen overnight.
The Pirates drafted him in 2018, but injuries and the lost 2020 minor league season delayed his progression. He spent years building up his workload before finally breaking through in 2025, initially working out of the bullpen before transitioning into a starting role late in the year.
That path may have helped him.
By easing into major league competition, Ashcraft gained experience without being overwhelmed. Now, he looks more polished than a typical early-career starter, showing the ability to handle six-inning outings and maintain velocity deep into games.
What This Means for the Pirates Rotation
GettyBraxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at BayCare Ballpark on February 22, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The Pirates already have a clear ace in Skenes, along with stability from Mitch Keller. If Ashcraft continues on this trajectory, the rotation suddenly shifts from promising to dangerous.
That changes expectations.
Instead of simply developing, the Pirates can start thinking about competing. A rotation anchored by Skenes and supported by a rising arm like Ashcraft creates a foundation that few teams can match long term.
The key now is consistency.
Ashcraft has shown the stuff, the command, and the ability to miss bats. If he maintains those traits while staying healthy, this early stretch will not just be a hot start. It will be the beginning of something much bigger.
And if that happens, the Pirates may have quietly built one of the most exciting young rotations in baseball.
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