Aaron Ashby Could Be A Sneaky Bullpen Weapon

It’s been a roller coaster year for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby. Ashby just returned this year after missing the entire previous season, struggled as a starter, and been back and forth between Triple-A and the big leagues. However, since coming back and being moved to the bullpen in August, the 26-year-old has been lights out. Ashby has proven he can be a multi-inning reliever and has currently gone 12 straight innings without yielding a run. Aaron Ashby could be a secret weapon in the bullpen for the Brewers in the postseason.

Aaron Ashby Has Struggled As A Starter This Year

The 26-year-old pitcher missed the entire previous season with a shoulder injury. His return this season has been a bit of a roller coaster. His development as a starting pitcher has stalled badly this season. In two starts with the big club in 2024, Ashby is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.59. He also had issues with control as he walked seven hitters compared to just five strikeouts. Ashby’s issues as a starter didn’t get much better in the minors. In 14 starts with Nashville, the 26-year-old compiled a record of 1-9 with an ERA of 8.61. He was again plagued by control issues as Ashby walked 63 hitters compared to just 55 strikeouts.

Finding Success As A Relief Pitcher

However, despite his struggles as a starter, Aaron Ashby found significantly more success as a reliever. While pitching in relief, Ashby put up an ERA of 5.06 and had 57 strikeouts and just 19 walks. On August 25^th, Milwaukee recalled Ashby back to the big club and immediately put him in the bullpen.

Since being recalled, Aaron Ashby has thrived as a reliever. In six appearances out of the bullpen, the 26-year-old is 1-0 and has yet to give up a run. Ashby has only allowed four hits in 12 innings of work. Something that Aaron Ashby gives the Brewers is length. Since transitioning to the bullpen, Ashby seems to have developed more control as well. Ashby has 15 strikeouts compared to just two walks as a reliever.

Ashby Has The Ability To Pitch Multiple Innings

The one big advantage that Aaron Ashby gives the Brewers is his ability to go multiple innings. In five of his six relief appearances, the 26-year-old has gone more than one inning. This development is huge given how heavily Milwaukee has relied on its bullpen in 2024. This means that Milwaukee’s other high-leverage arms can get a little more rest.

Aaron Ashby Makes The Bullpen Even Deeper

Milwaukee’s bullpen has been the best in the National League this season. As a staff, they’ve compiled an ERA of just 3.11. It is also considered to be one of the best and deepest in the entire league. Ashby’s success makes it deeper and even more lethal. It already features Trevor Megill, Devin Williams, Jared Koening, and Joel Payamps; Aaron Ashby has potentially become another weapon for this team.

Not All Teams Have Faced Ashby: This Can Be An Advantage

Since coming back to the big leagues, Aaron Ashby has found success working out of the bullpen. His ability to go multiple innings will potentially keep their other high-leverage arms even fresher. Ashby not being with Milwaukee the entire season can work to their advantage in the postseason. Not every team has faced him in 2024, this turns it into a guessing game for opposing hitters. Given Ashby’s success as a reliever, this makes an already great Milwaukee Brewers bullpen even better.

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