Graham Ashcraft looks like a bullpen weapon - and Reds fans wonder what took so long

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft will soon become a household name. The now former starter turned reliever has dominated opposing hitters this season, posting a .182 batting average against (BAA) and 0.57 ERA over 15⅔ innings out of the Reds bullpen. But why didn't the Reds make the starter-reliever transition sooner?

Reds fans had been clamoring since last season to move the struggling righty into the bullpen, but to no avail. Even during spring training, Ashcraft was battling for the final rotation spot; which he ultimately lost to Carson Spiers. Ashcraft was then assigned to the bullpen on Opening Day and has been there ever since.

Fully adopting the bullpen mentality is difficult, but Ashcraft embraced his new life immediately. "I love the adrenaline rush," Ashcraft told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The average baseball fan may not see the drastic difference in day-to-day life, but it's a complex switch to pull off.

Graham Ashcraft looks like weapon a coming out of the Reds bullpen

To focus on his strengths, Ashcraft stopped using his sinker and changeup and is now solely relying on his cutter-slider combination. His cutter has gained velocity, and heading into Wednesday's doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, opponents were hitting .077 against the slider — a lethal combo. Though a small sample size, the Reds could have seen this production much sooner. Ashcraft's tenure as a starter crashed and burned long before his season ending UCL sprain last July.

Despite promising signs in 2022, Ashcraft was inconsistent the following two seasons. Poor performance coupled with horrendous showings in the fifth and sixth innings proved Ashcraft is not a top-tier starter. In 2024, the 27-year-old posted a 5.84 ERA during 13 appearances in the fifth inning and an appalling 19.80 ERA during 10 appearances in the sixth.

Ashcraft couldn't compete with any opposing team's lineup the third time through — a problem he faced each year — and Reds fans were done. After over a year of shouting and complaining, fans are finally feeling heard. The switch to the bullpen finally happened, and the Reds are reaping the rewards.

Finally, Ashcraft is impacting every series in a meaningful manner. He immediately took the set-up role and could easily begin closing games if Emilio Pagán has a couple slip-ups. Reds fans are thrilled to see Ashcraft shining brightly in the bullpen.

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