Reds August 2023 thread

[CJD]

(08-23-2023, 11:06 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Shout out to Graham Ashcraft for getting it back together.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/reds-rhp-graham-ashcraft-s-wild-in-season-turnaround-is-first-in-mlb-since-1913/ar-AA1fElsc?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=4324508eea244c5f871f36bee609888b&ei=21

He, like Lodolo started off the season red hot. Two wins could have easily had 3rd posting a 2.10 ERA He gave up 8 runs in 6 games through May 2nd. Then vs. CWS on May 7th he fell off a cliff. Then posted a 9.21 ERA for the rest of May, and a 10.38 ERA in June. With only 1 win in those 10 starts.

July was 3 wins and a 1.84 ERA. August is 3.10 ERA thus far. He's now looking like a very solid starter for next season, to say the least.

What a comeback

His grandmother passed away right before his April 26th start against the Rangers. He dedicated that game to her, as they had a very special relationship (I think she had a big hand in raising him, but I forget the exact details). He pitched well that game, and then he pitched well on May 2nd against the Padres, but then his slide began. I've heard people talk about it as if to imply he was struggling with her death and that may be one of the causes of his poor performance in May and June. 

He went on the IL after his June 8th start, came back on June 24th, got roughed up by the Braves in his first start back, but after that game is when he seemed to be back. From that point, he has had 10 starts. He went at least 6 innings in 9 of those starts, all 9 of which were quality starts (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER). The one game that was not 6 IP was 5.1 IP and he only allowed 2 runs in that game. He was probably taken out strictly for pitch count purposes (he had walked 4 batters and was at 110 pitches).

That's the consistency of an Ace, and that's who I believe he is. I would prefer he be the day 1 starter next season, as he has proven over these last 10 starts that he is, by far, the most consistent and productive starter on this team. 

In 43 career starts, Ashcraft has 23 quality starts (53.5%). In 39 career starts, Hunter Greene has 14 (35.9%). I hope the Reds realize that Ashcraft is their best starting pitcher (other than Abbott, perhaps, but he's a rookie so we'll see how he continues to develop).