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2023 Player Outlook

When you look at Ashcraft’s numbers from last year, a 4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 5-6 record may not jump off the page. However, there’s actually a lot to like about Ashcraft heading into 2023, assuming his development continues and some off-season rumblings are true. Ashcraft admitted that he tired out by season’s end, and that is corroborated by his 7.92 ERA. Prior to the final five starts, he had a 3.94 ERA through his first 14 starts. His velocity is excellent, but his sixth-percentile whiff rate and strikeout rate didn’t help out many fantasy managers. His strikeout numbers in the minors were solid, and there are reports that he’s working on refining his changeup and adding in a splitter. Ashcraft needs another, at least, average pitch to mix in, and that could help with upping his strikeout rate. If the strikeouts can jump up a bit, there’s a lot to like about Ashcraft in 2023 and he’s dirt cheap in drafts! Yes, Cincy may not get him many wins, but he should be a guy with an ERA much closer to 4.00 in 2023, not to mention a strikeout rate closer to 20 percent. I’m bullish on Ashcraft at his current price.