Bullpen duty gives Ashcraft adrenaline rush

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MILWAUKEE -- Recreational thrill-seekers might try skydiving or bungee jumping. Graham Ashcraft gets occupational thrills from his new role as a reliever in the Reds' bullpen.

All the phone needs to do is ring.

“I love the adrenaline rush," Ashcraft said. “When that phone rings and your name gets called, that rush you get is unlike any other.”

Other than a couple of times relieving in college, Ashcraft was a starter his entire career, including all 60 of his big league games for Cincinnati from 2022-24. In 2023, the right-hander led the club with 26 starts and 145 2/3 innings.

However, injuries mixed with stretches of inconsistency hampered Ashcraft's ability to become an established starter.

At Spring Training this season, Ashcraft lost the fifth-starter battle to Carson Spiers. Manager Terry Francona told Ashcraft to prepare for a relief role and the right-hander feels like he's already embraced bullpen life.

“I feel like it’s going pretty good," Ashcraft said. "I’m doing everything I can to be ready and stay ready.

Ashcraft, 27, has so far trimmed down his pitch selection to a cutter that averages in the high 90s and a slider. He is finding the biggest adjustment is learning how to manage his throwing program ahead of games. He no longer has four days between his outings to prepare like a starter. Relievers could be used two or three days in a row or spend three or four days being idle.

"[It's] knowing when it’s appropriate to get on the mound and touch the slope to either feel it because I haven’t thrown in two or three games or I just need to feel some things out while working on some stuff," Ashcraft said. "It’s knowing when I’ve hit the limit of, ‘OK, this is enough. You don’t need to [throw] any more.’

“I feel like that adjustment part of it has been going pretty well. It’s still early in the season. There’s still a lot for me to learn.”

The Reds bullpen is more of a veteran group than it was last season. Ashcraft has the ability to download information from experienced relievers like Brent Suter, Emilio Pagán, and others.

Some Reds relievers have done it their whole careers while others are former starters, like Ashcraft.

“I see myself in his shoes because I had a starter routine and shifted into the ‘pen," Suter said. "I am just trying to help him out on what worked, what didn’t work for me. Take whatever … but these are some things I do pregame, in-game, postgame to help me stay strong, stay locked in mentally and physically as best you can.”

Suter, who has been a reliever in seven of his 10 big league seasons, has advised Ashcraft about how to harness the adrenaline rush he feels when the phone rings.

Basically, don't go from zero to 100, but rather 30 to 75 to keep from spinning out of control mentally.

“He’s been awesome," Suter said. "He’s been an absolute sponge for everything I’ve been throwing at him. He’s got a really good attitude out there and he’s thrown the ball really well. I’m really excited for him and his future. Maybe it’s a short-term stay in the ‘pen, but regardless, being versatile like that makes you a better player and more adaptable person so I’m really proud of him.”

Entering Sunday, Ashcraft has made three scoreless appearances. For the first time on Friday, he appeared on back-to-back days. After pitching the eighth inning of Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers with a hit and walk allowed, he returned Friday in the fifth inning and faced one batter in the fifth and got a groundout.

With his stuff and mentality, Ashcraft could be a potential future closer. The Reds are currently without Alexis Díaz, who is on the injured list, and Francona hasn't named a dedicated replacement for the ninth inning.

Ashcraft wouldn't mind closing a game but he's not asking for the role.

“If it happens, great. I just want to make sure that I’m ready for whenever they need to call my name," he said. "I’m kind of leaving it up to them. They have a plan of where they want me. I’m just going to take the ball when they decide to give me the ball. That’s all I can do.”