In a significant development for the Cincinnati Reds, right-handed pitcher Graham Ashcraft has emerged victorious in his arbitration hearing against the team, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. This win is particularly noteworthy considering that Ashcraft and his representatives from the Bledsoe Agency had requested a salary of $1.75 million, while the Reds countered with an offer of $1.25 million. Ultimately, Ashcraft will receive the higher amount for the 2026 season, marking a milestone as all five arbitration cases decided so far this year have favored the players.
Turning 28 next week, Ashcraft enjoyed a breakout performance during the previous season, transitioning effectively from being a starter to a reliever within the bullpen. Over the course of the season, he pitched 65 1/3 innings, maintaining a 3.99 earned run average (ERA). It’s essential to note that a forearm strain he experienced late in the season likely contributed to his elevated ERA; after missing two weeks at the end of August and early September, he struggled initially upon returning, allowing five runs in just his first two innings back. However, he quickly regained his form, finishing the season strong with 5 1/3 consecutive shutout innings.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 245 pounds, Ashcraft already had a reputation for his impressive velocity as a starting pitcher, but his average fastball speed surged to an impressive 97.1 mph when he transitioned to a relief role. He complemented this with a slider averaging 89.8 mph. Interestingly, despite recording a strikeout rate of 22.5%—which aligns with the league average—his swinging-strike rate of 13.2% exceeded the norm by over two percentage points. Additionally, Ashcraft showcased commendable control with an 8.8% walk rate and an outstanding ground-ball rate of 55.9%.
Throughout the season, Ashcraft began in lower-leverage situations but evolved into one of manager Terry Francona's most trusted options during high-pressure moments as the season progressed. According to leverage index metrics, while Tony Santillan worked in some of the most intense situations, Ashcraft was not far behind, ranking slightly above closer Emilio Pagan, who typically handled the traditional ninth inning duties.
This offseason, the Reds secured Pagan’s services with a two-year contract, which includes a player option for the second year. As for Ashcraft, he is set to continue as one of Pagan’s primary setup men alongside Santillan. Looking ahead, if Pagan chooses to opt out and signs with another team following the 2026 season, Ashcraft could find himself vying for closing opportunities in 2027. Notably, this marks Ashcraft's first experience with arbitration, and he is under team control through the 2028 season, which means he will be eligible for two more raises in arbitration during the upcoming offseasons.
