Graham Ashcraft struggles raise doubts about his future

Graham Ashcraft, a 27-year-old pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, is facing a tough spring training. He has made five starts this spring but has struggled greatly. In 13 and one-third innings, he has given up 10 earned runs. His numbers show an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.80, making it hard for him to stay on the major league roster. There have been rumors this offseason about Ashcraft moving to the bullpen due to his career 4.91 ERA as a starter. With many talented pitchers on the Reds, he seems to be the odd man out. It looks likely that he will start the season in Triple-A in Louisville to try and improve his performance. Ashcraft began his career with promise, featuring a fast cutter and a strong slider. However, his performance has declined over the years. He had a 4.89 ERA as a rookie, which worsened to 4.76 in his second year and hit 5.24 in 2024. A concerning trend for Ashcraft is the drop in velocity of his cutter. In 2022, it averaged 97.3 MPH but decreased to 95.8 MPH in 2023 and further to 95.6 MPH in 2024. This decline raises questions about his ability to handle the pitching workload. Despite having strong pitches, Ashcraft has struggled to get strikeouts and often allows hard contact. His strikeout percentage ranked in the bottom tier of the league last year. The only positive aspect of his game has been generating ground balls. As the 2025 season approaches, it is hard to see Ashcraft as a part of the Reds' rotation or even the bullpen. This year is crucial for him to prove his worth. If the Reds choose to move him to the bullpen, it is more likely to happen in the minors rather than the major leagues.