Braxton Ashcraft has been a starting pitcher his whole career.
He was drafted out of high school as a starting pitcher. When he made his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2018, it was as a starting pitcher. When he established himself as one of the better prospects within the Pirates organization, it was as a starting pitcher.
The only level where Ashcraft has come out of the bullpen is the major leagues.
And for all the (rightful) criticism we give this organization for messing with player development, trying to force players into their unnatural positions, and even the whole Carmen Mlodzinski thing, this decision is paying off in spades for the Pirates right now.
Ashcraft has been electric out of the bullpen for the Pirates so far this season. And as he continues to establish himself at the major league level, he took a major step Sunday afternoon as Pittsburgh completed their first sweep of the year over Philadelphia.
Paul Skenes got the start for the Pirates, and stop me if you’ve heard this before, but he was fantastic once more.
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