Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft was sharp early, holding the Reds scoreless through his first four innings, but he'd stumble in the fifth, allowing a pair of runs after giving up four straight hits to open the frame. While it didn't end on a high note, Ashcraft had a strong rookie campaign as a swingman in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.71 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He'll likely be in the mix to claim a rotation spot in 2026.

Ashcraft (4-3) took the loss Monday against the Cubs, conceding three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander stumbled in this 70-pitch outing, as he coughed up a career-worst six hits. Ashcraft strolled through two scoreless frames before faltering in the third, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. In 62.1 big-league innings, the 25-year-old has produced a 2.74 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 60:23 while bouncing between various roles as a starter and reliever. Given that Ashcraft has already tossed a career-high 110.2 frames across all levels this season, the Pirates will likely limit his usage down the stretch.

The Pirates list Ashcraft as their probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Cubs at PNC Park.

EDGE Analysis

In his most recent appearance during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles, Ashcraft covered three innings out of the bullpen while piggybacking starter Mike Burrows, who was lifted after covering the first four frames. The Pirates look set to break up the tandem and move to a six-man rotation during the upcoming week, as Burrows will start Sunday's series finale in Washington while Ashcraft gets the ball for the first contest of a six-game homestand. Though he's returning to a starting role, Ashcraft could still have his workload monitored carefully Monday since he's already tossed 32.2 more innings in 2025 than he did during the 2024 season.

Ashcraft allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Wednesday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Mike Burrows drew the traditional start, but Ashcraft followed him into the game to work in bulk relief. He struggled to consistently hit the zone, with only 36 of his 63 pitches finding the strike zone. While he was inefficient, Ashcraft also racked up seven swinging strikes and recorded all three of his outs in the fifth inning via the strikeout. Ashcraft has a 2.72 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 36.1 innings since the All-Star break, though most of those appearances have come either in bulk relief or shortened starts.

Ashcraft took a no-decision in his start during Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers, striking out four batters while allowing two hits and four walks over three scoreless frames.

EDGE Analysis

After working at least five innings in each of his last three starts, Ashcraft tossed just 71 pitches before being lifted from Wednesday's contest. Ashcraft's early exit looks to have been a pre-planned arrangement; the right-hander has now totaled 103.2 innings between the majors and Triple-A Indianapolis this season, an increase of nearly 30 innings from what he covered during his time in the minors in 2024. The Pirates are also looking to manage the workload of one of their other young starters in Mike Burrows, who was moved to the bullpen last week and ended up tossing three innings in relief of Ashcraft on Wednesday. Though Ashcraft should continue to make starts for the Pirates, it wouldn't be surprising if he was deployed in tandem with Burrows in his future turns through the rotation.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft turned in his third consecutive start of at least five innings while yielding one run or zero. With Andrew Heaney having been designated for assignment by the Pirates, Ashcraft has a fairly clear path to a starting role in the rotation to wrap up the season. The rookie right-hander has a promising 2.58 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB across his first 52.1 innings, though a scheduled matchup against the Dodgers next week might curb his streaming appeal a bit for his next turn.

Ashcraft (4-2) picked up the win in Friday's 9-0 rout of the Rockies, allowing one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Making his third straight start, Ashcraft delivered the best performance of his young career as he combined with fellow rookie Bubba Chandler on the shutout. Ashcraft racked up 14 swinging strikes on only 65 pitches (47 total strikes) as he set a new personal best in Ks, and since moving into the rotation the 25-year-old righty has a 1.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 13.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in St. Louis.

Ashcraft did not factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft was highly efficient, needing just 61 pitches to get through five innings while generating nine swinging strikes. It was the 25-year-old's longest outing of the season, and he's now given up only two earned runs over 8.1 frames in back-to-back starts after spending most of the year in the bullpen. He owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 41.2 innings and could get another turn in the Pirates' rotation, tentatively lining up for a home start against the Blue Jays next week.

Ashcraft is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After making his previous nine appearances out of the bullpen, Ashcraft picked up his second MLB start this past weekend against the Reds as a replacement in the rotation for Johan Oviedo, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Though he was limited to 56 pitches in his outing versus Cincinnnati, Ashcraft was effective during his time on the mound, striking out five while allowing five baserunners over 3.1 innings. He'll be rewarded with a second turn through the rotation this weekend, and Ashcraft could push his pitch count up to the 65-to-80 range now that he's on a starter's schedule. Whether Ashcraft will be stick around in the rotation for the rest of the season is still unclear; Friday marks the first day that prospects who are called up for the first time in 2025 won't be able to exceed 45 days of service time, which will keep them eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year Award consideration. With that in mind, prized pitching prospect Bubba Chandler could soon get called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut, and Ashcraft may move back to the bullpen to accommodate him.

Ashcraft did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft opened with three scoreless frames before allowing a run and recording just one out in the fourth. The 25-year-old generated eight whiffs on 56 pitches in what proved to be his longest outing of the season. He owns a 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB across 36.2 innings and tentatively lines up for a tough road matchup with the Cubs next weekend.