At just 23, Paul Skenes has already carved out a role as the ace and leader of the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation. His presence sets the tone for the entire pitching staff, including seasoned arms like 26-year-old Braxton Ashcraft.
In a recent chat with MLB Network, Ashcraft shared insights into the dynamic of working alongside the reigning NL Cy Young winner and the lessons he's gleaned from him.
"It's a pretty constant conversation," Ashcraft explained. "We do a great job of discussing what works and what doesn’t. We reflect on past successes and adapt accordingly."
Ashcraft added, "Seeing the way Paul approaches his work is incredibly motivating for all of us."
After spending last year mostly in the bullpen, Ashcraft is now stepping into a starting role for the first time in his Major League career. This transition has been a valuable learning experience.
"Being part of a unified starting five is something special," Ashcraft noted. "We share routines and adapt them to fit our styles. Watching Paul and the others is inspiring."
Skenes may be soft-spoken, but his leadership shines through his disciplined approach and work ethic, earning respect from teammates and coaches alike.
With a young and talented rotation, Ashcraft feels right at home. Despite coming up as a reliever, his strong spring performance-boasting a 2.03 ERA and a 16:1 K/BB ratio over four starts-earned him a spot in the rotation.
Ashcraft is set to make his season debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, ready to bring what he’s learned to the mound.