For months now it has been inevitable that the 7th ranked prospect in the Brewers organization, LHP Aaron Ashby, would be promoted to the big leagues. The real question was when.
Yesterday we got more clarity on that question. Our friends at Reviewing the Brew along with Jeff Passan were among the first to discuss the reported promotion.
Milwaukee is calling up left-hander Aaron Ashby, sources tell ESPN. Very impressive in spring training and has struck out 56 in 38 IP at AAA. Has also issued 24 walks. Expected to work out of the bullpen. Along with Ethan Small, he’s part of Brewers’ next generation of pitchers.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 29, 2021
We had it first 😏 https://t.co/r4wOXXdByf
— Reviewing the Brew (@ReviewngTheBrew) June 29, 2021
If you have been following along with what is going on in the minor leagues, Aaron Ashby this promotion should not be a shock to you. Ashby recently made the transition to the bullpen in preparation for this moment.
News from the Minors: The Brewers are moving Aaron Ashby to the Triple-A bullpen to position him for an eventual call-up to the Major League club. He’ll be a multi-inning guy, Rick Sweet told @JeffHemPBP on the Sounds pre-game show.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 9, 2021
The transition hasn’t been all smooth sailing. After the switch, Ashby’s ERA has jumped up to 4.50 from 2.93. However, his last bullpen outing went great in which he struck out four batters in the five outs that he recorded. He also has been flirting with 98 MPH pitches as a member of the bullpen.
Another part of transitioning to the bullpen is getting acclimated to multiple situations. In Triple-A he has been used in multiple scenarios where he would enter the game in the middle of an inning, with runners on, and many others. The Brewers wanted to make sure Ashby was ready for anything once given a shot in the major leagues.
If all of this sounds familiar, your hunch is right. Aaron Ashby working out of the bullpen follows the same course that current Brewers Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Josh Hader all had as well.
Ashby will likely work out of the bullpen primarily with the Brewers but will have the ability to go multiple innings. Currently the Brewers have a bullpen day scheduled for Wednesday June 30th and Ashby will be the starter.
Aaron Ashby will start for the Brewers tomorrow in his Major League debut.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 30, 2021
Going forward odds are that Ashby will be competing with many other arms in the Brewers bullpen. He will have to earn his way up the ranks and earn Craig Counsell’s trust prior to being a high leverage reliever. Ashby has the potential to reach that this year and that could be a big boost to this Brewers team that is poised to make a playoff push.
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