The Reds announced Thursday that they’ve optioned struggling right-hander Graham Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville. His spot on the roster will go to reliever Emilio Pagan, who’s being reinstated after a stint on the 15-day injured list due to a triceps injury.
It’s the first time Ashcraft, 26, has been optioned to the minors since May 2022, when he was sent down a day after making his MLB debut in a spot start. The 2019 sixth-rounder started 19 games for Cincinnati in 2022 and another 26 games last year. Were it not for a calf strain and a stress reaction in his foot, he’d have been ticketed for a full slate of starts in the Reds’ rotation last season.
Though Ashcraft has struggled with consistency, he’s at times looked the part of a viable third or fourth starter in the Reds’ rotation. He opened last season with a dominant 2.00 ERA in his first six trips to the hill, and while his K-BB profile didn’t support quite that level of success, he was showing huge ground-ball tendencies and finding success with a new cutter and revamped slider that looked far better than his 2022 version of the same pitch.
A disastrous stretch followed, wherein Ashcraft was shellacked for 47 earned runs in 33 innings over his next eight starts — including outings that saw him yield ten, eight, seven (twice) and six earned runs. Lost as he looked in that span of six weeks, Ashcraft then rattled off a dozen starts of 2.58 ERA ball to close out his season, averaging 6 1/3 innings per start along the way and never allowing more than three runs in any one start. The big righty still had a subpar strikeout rate in that excellent run but offset that flaw with improved command and strong ground-ball tendencies. It was a promising finish to a season — one that seemed to speak louder than his ultimately pedestrian 4.76 ERA.
The 2024 season has again been a struggle, though not to the extent of last year’s eye-popping slump. Ashcraft currently sports a 5.05 ERA with a well below-average 17.4% strikeout rate but a strong 7.5% walk rate and encouraging 49% ground-ball rate. However, after averaging more than six innings per start down the stretch last year and pitching into the sixth inning in five of his first six starts this season, Ashcraft has struggled with efficiency of late. He’s pitched into the sixth just once in his past six trips to the hill. Though he’s averaging less than 4 2/3 frames per outing in this stretch, he’s done so while requiring an average of 89 pitches along the way.
Unsurprisingly, Ashcraft’s results have suffered. He posted a 3.63 ERA through his first six starts but has turned in a 6.83 mark since that time. His walk rate has spiked from 6.1% to 9%, and his strikeout rate has fallen from 20.1% to 14.3%. He’ll now try to get back on track in Louisville.
From a service time vantage point, Ashcraft’s demotion isn’t likely to alter his path to free agency. He entered the season with 1.136 years of MLB service, meaning he only needed another 36 days to reach two years and stay on track for free agency in the 2028-29 offseason. That said, he was on track to be a very likely Super Two player, making him arbitration-eligible four times rather than the standard three, and that’ll become unlikely if his stay in Louisville lasts more than a couple weeks.
The Reds will continue to deploy a rotation including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Frankie Montas. Veteran swingman Nick Martinez, signed to a two-year deal, could step back into the rotation in place of Ashcraft for the time being. Triple-A starters Connor Phillips, Christian Roa, Lyon Richardson and Carson Spiers are all on the 40-man roster and could represent alternative options, but Spiers is the only one of that group who’s pitched particularly well in Louisville this season. He’s made four long relief appearances for Cincinnati already this season, totaling 13 2/3 innings of 3.29 ERA ball. Lefty Brandon Williamson has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season due to a shoulder injury but is another candidate, as he’s made four minor league rehab starts and is nearing the end of his rehab window.
His Assh is Grassh.
More ashes than craft. Yesterday certainly was not Ash Wednesday. Still, six weeks of penitence is forthcoming for Graham.
During his penitence, Graham cracker will be replaced by a Pagan, but not one that is an Angel. With either Ashcraft or the Pagan pitching, local custom is to invoke much prayer.
LOL….Always good to hear from a bandwagon Flubby fan.
It will be Brandon Williamson who is set to finish his rehab assignment I believe this week
Seems like Brandon Williamson would be a strong candidate for the rotation spot. He’s been on a rehab assignment in the minors since mid-May.
This site loves to leave him out of the discussion
I’m guessing it’s because Williamson is on the 60-day IL so he doesn’t show up on a quick check of the 40-man.
The Reds will need to create a 40-man spot to activate Williamson.
You forgot about Williamson, who is likely going to take that spot
I believe Williamson is going to take his spot.
6 people in a row have now said Williamson will get the spot. Point taken.
Williamson will take his spot, more likely.
Sims should be the next one gone if they can find a trade. He has no options. He’s also very shaky with control. Pitches backwards. Reminds me of Mark Weathers. Just not as consistent.
Too bad Connor Phillips has turned into 1973-74 Steve Blass or he would be the one calling in.
Ash just lost a few mph of velocity and does not have the command and other pitches to make up for it.
I would think Justin Wilson will get traded or DFA to make room for Williamson on 40 man and to take his spot on roster…
Christian Roa is a mess. All those pretty K’s to go with getting hit even with all his stuff. Richardson is almost as bad as Connor. Spiers is the only one along with Williamson, if he’s really healthy, who deserves a start.
Just looking at the box scores daily, I think they moved Roa to the bullpen. Phillips has been a major disappointment but B Will is looking good in rehab. Hopefully Graham can figure it out
Same organization that flirted w sending Abbott to triple A out of ST.
Same organization that didn’t send Abbott to AAA …
Trade Lodolo for cano and kjerstad
Win/win
Lodolo is not going anywhere, at least until they sell him off in three years before free agency.
If you can get a good RH power hitting or just good hitting OF for next 3 years at least. The Reds already signed Hunter to an extension so they are not going to just trade everyone that nears the end of FA. Then yes I would do it due to his potential for injury. It would be easier if Phillips. Petty. Acuña. Lowder. They all develop to take over by next year at worst.
Graham Ashcraft = A hag’s farm chart
I see what you did there
Bold prediction. Ashcraft ends up in the back end of the bullpen eventually.
It’s sad but may be true. I was saying the same thing about Greene but he’s maybe turned the corner now.
He can pump 100+ in shorter outings, might be a good fit really. His fastball hasn’t had much movement of late, although Colorado isn’t a good barometer of pitch english. I’m for the idea nevertheless if he can get back on point.
Ashcraft will figure it out. He’s a cool guy. I have a sort of family connection with him and he gave me a signed Reds hat last year.
Well then- didn’t know he was a cool guy. I’m sure that will get him a Cy Young!
Grammatical mistake on my part I suppose. Maybe something like “Unrelatedly, he’s a cool guy….” would’ve made more sense. No, I don’t think he’s gonna turn it around based on his personality.
Awesome stuff just incredibly inconsistent. He will get it together hopefully as a reds fan it will be in Cincy when he does
I just saw the schedule. They will not need a 5th starter until 16th-18th. So unless someone gets hurt they needed the extra bullpen arm.
Reds have good SP options Besides Montas and Martinez all the Reds SP have options. This move is just par for the course.
Now the question is when will they send Will Benson down to hopefully get straightened out again. A bigger question is why is that needed every year?