Braxton Ashcraft was planning to head home to take pregnancy photos with his wife during the All-Star break, until Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly called the right-hander into his office at PNC Park.
Those plans changed abruptly when Kelly asked Ashcraft if he was willing to pitch in the Midsummer Classic on July 14 in Philadelphia. The answer: Absolutely.
Kelly soon informed the Pirates in an impromptu meeting Tuesday afternoon before their game against the Atlanta Braves that Ashcraft had been added to the National League All-Star team.
“It’s cool to be recognized by your peers and the league, to represent the team in that situation,” Ashcraft said. “It’s surreal. It’s something every kid dreams of coming into baseball. Just really cool to be able to live that.”
Ashcraft was named as a replacement for teammate Paul Skenes. It will be the first All-Star appearance for the 26-year-old Ashcraft, who leads Pirates starters in wins (nine), ERA (3.24) ERA, strikeouts (122), innings (108 1/3) and quality starts (10) this season.
“So cool for Braxton. He’s totally earned it. Deserves it,” Kelly said. “Such a great moment for him and Pirate fans, the development of Braxton from being drafted and him coming up last year in different roles. He’s been through a bunch of injuries. For him to have this honor that he deserves is really special.”
The development of the 6-foot-5, 218-pound Ashcraft, a 2018 second-round pick by the Pirates, was sidetracked by a non-throwing shoulder dislocation that required surgery in 2019 and Tommy John surgery in 2021. Now, he ranks in the top 10 in the major leagues in innings and strikeouts and will play alongside the game’s superstars.
Not that he has a favorite.
“All of ‘em, man. I can’t really put my finger on just a single one,” Ashcraft said, adding that he hopes more Pirates join him as All-Star replacements. “It’s a room full of unbelievably talented guys. Being able to share that locker room is a blessing. I’m hoping there are a few other guys in this locker room we can share it with.”
Skenes was named to his third consecutive All-Star Game, but the Pirates ace told reporters over the weekend that he intends to pitch Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers and won’t play in the Midsummer Classic.
“I thought it was a no-brainer. I was not surprised at all,” Skenes said. “He’s an All-Star, straight up. It’s good. Hopefully, we have another team meeting at some point this week and somebody else gets to go. But it’s great, great to see.”
