Andrew McCutchen is enjoying another season as a veteran with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the team also has a young pitcher who recently made his debut and pitched well — while making clear what he wants for his MLB future.
The player in question is Braxton Ashcraft, who said that his goal isn’t just to reach the majors but to stay there alongside his Pirates teammates: “For me my goal isn’t making it to the big leagues. It’s to stay here.”
Braxton Ashcraft didn’t have the smoothest debut with the Pirates, but the circumstances weren’t on his side. He entered the game with Pittsburgh already trailing 5-0, making a comeback virtually impossible.
Strong numbers in his first outing
In his first game with Andrew McCutchen’s Pirates, Ashcraft delivered three solid innings. He didn’t allow any additional runs, gave up just two hits and one walk, and recorded a strikeout. Considering he came in on the road with the team already down, it was a special performance for the rookie.
Despite making his major league debut, Braxton Ashcraft is all business 😤
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) May 27, 2025
"For me my goal isn't making it to the big leagues. It's to stay here."@mearshannah_ | @Pirates pic.twitter.com/TtWMGtbxh6
A boost for a struggling Pirates bullpen
If Ashcraft can secure a consistent role in Pittsburgh’s bullpen, it could bring much-needed relief. Right now, the Pirates’ bullpen is in rough shape, posting a 4.52 ERA. Beyond the earned runs, they’ve also struggled with strikeouts, totaling just 162 so far — a sign of the team’s ongoing mound issues.
