WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Waco native Braxton Ashcraft, a graduate of Robinson High School, made his Major League Baseball debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26 in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ashcraft, recently called up from his Triple A team, came out of the bullpen to record his first strikeout for the Pirates.
“While the Pirates lost to the Diamondbacks, 5-0, at Chase Field, Ashcraft was their highlight, tossing three scoreless innings and striking out the first hitter of his career –Tim Tawa — with a 91 mph slider that registered over 2,600 rpm of spin,” wrote Pirates beat reporter Alex Stumpf.
Ashcraft was the No. 7 prospect in the Pirates’ system, per Stumpf.
According to the baseball reporter, Ashcraft struck out 56 over 48 1/3 innings in his 10 Triple-A starts this year.
“He was pitching well down in Indy, obviously one of our big prospects,” Pirates Manager Don Kelly told Stumpf after the game.
“Love what he brings to the team. Does not mean he’s not going to be a starter down the road, but just right now, felt like it was a good opportunity to bring him up, use him in a bulk role and help us win some games.”
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