Braxton Ashcraft Was The Pirates’ Best Pitcher. How High Is His Ceiling?

Braxton Ashcraft entered 2026 trying to prove he could handle a full season in a Major League rotation. He leaves it as an All-Star and the Pirates’ Steve Blass Award winner as the team’s top pitcher.

Alex Stumpf looks back at Ashcraft’s breakout season, why there may still be another level for him to reach in 2027, and what his emergence means for a Pirates rotation that also includes Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler.

Read Alex Stumpf’s Book-Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.