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Graham Ashcraft, among Reds' top pitching prospects, makes Major League debut

Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read
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Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee pitcher Graham Ashcraft follows through on a delivery during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, March 21, 2022, at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz.
Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee pitcher Graham Ashcraft follows through on a delivery during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, March 21, 2022, at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz.

Reds right-handed pitcher Graham Ashcraft started and made his Major League debut for Cincinnati on Sunday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Ashcraft allowed a hit to the first batter he faced, George Springer, but retired the next three - all on groundouts - for a scoreless first inning.

The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith reported via Twitter that Connor Overton, who had been scheduled to start, was scratched with back soreness.

From the Reds via Twitter:

Ashcraft, 24, a sixth-round draft pick of the Reds in 2019, was a non-roster invitee to Major League spring training camp - his first - before the start of this season.. MLB.com ranks Ashcraft No. 8 among the team's top prospects.

The Reds added Ashcraft to the Taxi Squad from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

From the Reds via Twitter on Friday, ahead of a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto:

The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith wrote in March about how Ashcraft became one of the best strikeout throwers in the Reds' farm system.

"He throws something I've never seen," Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo said in 2021, per The Enquirer's Bobby Nightengale. "His fastball is like a cutter at 97 (mph). It's a cutter."

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft (51), pictured, Friday, March 18, 2022, at the baseball team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft (51), pictured, Friday, March 18, 2022, at the baseball team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz.

Social media reactions:

More from the Reds on Ashcraft:

In 7 starts at Class AAA Louisville went 3-1, 1.65 (32.2ip, 31h, 16r, 6er, 17bb, 30k, 0hr, 2hb, 1.47whip, .240baa).

In his minor league career allowed just 6 HR in 197.1 innings.

Is ranked 12th on Baseball America's 2022 mid-season Reds prospects list...his slider is rated the best among Reds minor league pitchers...in 2020, his curveball was rated the best among Reds minor league pitchers.

In 2021 was an MiLB.com Organization All-Star, MLB.com's Reds Pitching Prospect of the Year, the Reds' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June and a 3-time league Pitcher of the Week.

In 22 starts last season at Class A Dayton and Class AA Chattanooga combined to finish 11-4, 3.00 with 1 shutout (111ip, 86h, 37bb, 129k, 4hr, 1.11whip, .212baa)...led Reds minor league pitchers in wins and starts.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Graham Ashcraft's makes Major League debut in Sunday start in Toronto