Ex-Reds pitcher gives Graham Ashcraft the perfect blueprint for success as a reliever

The Cincinnati Reds have long believed that Graham Ashcraft possesses the kind of raw talent that could make him a formidable starting pitcher. A hard-throwing right-hander with a strong arsenal, Ashcraft has spent the early part of his career battling for a spot in the Reds’ rotation.

However, despite flashes of brilliance, his struggles with command and efficiency — particularly when facing hitters multiple times throughout the order — have led the team to make the call that Ashcraft is not quite ready. He's since been moved to the bullpen to start the regular season.

For some pitchers, this kind of transition can feel like a demotion, a sign that their aspirations as a starter are slipping away. But Ashcraft? He’s embracing it.

In his first relief outing of spring training, Ashcraft silenced any doubts by throwing three shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals. His performance was dominant, yet not entirely surprising — his stuff plays exceptionally well the first time through a lineup. The real question for Ashcraft has always been whether he can pitch deeper into outings.

Former Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen gives Graham Ashcraft the perfect blueprint for success

For the Reds, this move serves as a short-term solution to two pressing issues: the need to stabilize their bullpen, and to give Ashcraft the opportunity to refine his approach. Ashcraft’s transition to the bullpen draws immediate comparisons to former Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who also began his career with starter aspirations but struggled with consistency.

Lorenzen ultimately spent six seasons as a reliever for the Reds, often pitching multiple innings while filling in as a spot starter when needed. His determination to return to a starting role eventually led him to opportunities with the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and now the Royals, where he’s solidified his place in a rotation.

The key difference? Ashcraft’s pure stuff is far more electric. If he can sharpen his command and prove he can handle multiple trips through the order, he may not be relegated to the bullpen for nearly as long as Lorenzen was.

What’s perhaps most exciting about Ashcraft’s mindset is that he isn’t sulking about the move — he’s attacking it. Instead of resisting the shift to relief, Ashcraft has openly stated that if he’s going to be in the bullpen, he wants to be the guy. He’s setting his sights on a high-leverage role, specifically as the team’s closer.

That ambition is nothing to sneeze at, especially considering that the Reds’ current closer, Alexis Díaz, hasn’t done much to lock down the role heading into 2025. If Ashcraft thrives in late-game situations, it could change the trajectory of both his career and the Reds’ bullpen strategy.

The 2025 season will be a proving ground for Ashcraft. If he continues to shine in relief, the Reds may opt to keep him there, at least in the short term. However, if injuries or rotation struggles arise — or if Ashcraft himself shows he can sustain his dominance deeper into games — he could be right back in the mix for a starting job before long.

For now, the Reds have found a valuable way to utilize his skill set, and Ashcraft has embraced the challenge head-on. Whether his future lies in the rotation or in the bullpen, one thing is clear: the firepower is there, and the Reds are going to make good use of it.

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