Graham Ashcraft. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Graham Ashcraft is turning heads in Cincinnati

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/21/23

In just his second season in the MLB, Cincinnati Reds pitch Graham Ashcraft has made major improvements in his game after a very solid rookie year in 2022.

Over his first three starts in 2023, Ashcraft has posted a 3-0 record with a 1.42 ERA only allowing three runs in 19 innings pitched.

With a much-improved slider added to his repertoire, plus a good sinker and cutter, Ashcraft is getting more batters to whiff on it while limiting contact to opposing hitters.

When they do manage to make contact, it is usually weak and right at his defense behind him.

Graham Ashcraft, Mean Sliders. pic.twitter.com/vuuU8pZNxj
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 15, 2023

Once viewed as a three or four in the Reds rotation, Ashcraft along with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are quietly forming a rotation that could be special for the next few years as the Reds look to become competitive again after only making the playoffs once since 2013.

Graham Ashcraft picks up his second win of the season.

He thought the key was his two-seam fastball. He wasn't happy with it the last start, but really improved upon it today. He thinks he's making progress and improvement in his second season in the majors. pic.twitter.com/vSbEjHkLpK
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 15, 2023

Being able to command pitches has been another key for Ashcraft and has allowed him to throw his slider outside the zone more to generate swings and misses with his three-pitch mix.

Ashcraft has also been able to eat inning for the Reds, throwing six or more innings in each of his three starts allowing the bullpen to get a breather on the days he starts.

Drafted in the sixth round in 2019, the Reds were hopeful that they found a gem in Ashcraft to pair with their 2017 and 2019 first-round picks in Greene and Lodolo.

With zero expectations to compete for anything, the Reds can use this year to see what they have in a bunch of their farm system with hopes of adding some more pieces to this already solid foundation.

Not everything is expected to go this well for Ashcraft and a little regression is due. The Reds can only hope to see Ashcraft fight through adversity and persevere when the pressure is on.

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