As the offseason has gone on, the Brewers’ rotational prospects have become more apparent. Colin Rea and Wade Miley returned on new one-year contracts, Corbin Burnes seems unlikely to be dealt, and Freddy Peralta is still under contract.
The fight is still on for the fifth (and maybe sixth) rotation position. Prospect Robert Gasser was expected to be considered, and veteran Joe Ross was previously officially considered.
The Brewers are considering Aaron Ashby as a starting pitcher, as General Manager Matt Arnold stated on Sunday during an appearance on MLB Network Radio.
Ashby had shoulder surgery in April of 2023, and he did not play in the major leagues. Prior to it, in 139 innings over the course of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he pitched to a 4.47 ERA, 3.41 SIERA, and 3.92 DRA. During his 23 starts, Ashby recorded an ERA of 4.79 and a SIERA of 3.77.
These are hardly unusual results, especially considering Ashby has been a starter. The Brewers nevertheless signed him to a five-year agreement in 2022 despite this. Ashby has demonstrated consistency in his fundamental numbers, and as a left-handed pitcher, he has one of the best arsenals in baseball.
His shattering stuff is Ashby’s bread and butter. His curveball and slider both have good movement. He backs those weapons up with a sinker that can reach the mid 90s and an above-average changeup.
Ashby has a unique skill set for a beginning thanks to that arsenal.
Ashby recorded a 25.2% strikeout rate and a 55.9% ground ball rate during his brief tenure as a starter. During those seasons, the averages for starting pitchers were 22% and 42.6%, respectively.
With a strikeout percentage of at least 25% and a ground ball rate of at least 50% during those two seasons, Ashby was one of just three pitchers to make at least 20 starts. Luis Castillo and Lance McCullers Jr. were the others.
Ashby had all the makings of one of the game’s finest starters, even in spite of his lackluster performances. He can produce ground balls and swings and misses at remarkable rates because to it. Most novices are only able to perform one or the other.
Whether he still has that substance after the procedure is the question.
The velocity and command of a pitcher can be affected by shoulder problems. Jimmy Nelson is one pitcher who underwent surgery and came back completely different, and the Brewers’ choice to not tender Speaking on the uncertainties surrounding these injuries is Brandon Woodruff.
It’s a bit of a double-edged sword that Ashby had a significant shoulder treatment done at the age of 24. Compared to the 30-year-old Woodruff, he may have a better chance of fully recovering, but it may also portend a lack of stamina when a starter is asked to pitch.
When Ashby started his rehab assignment in September, he was obviously out of practice. He gave up 12 earned runs and 14 walks in seven innings. His average sinker velocity decreased to 92.1 mph in 2022 from 95.7 mph in 2022.
