# Pittsburgh Pirates Rotation SHAKEN as Braxton Ashcraft Faces First True MLB Push Back

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/pittsburgh-pirates-rotation-shaken-as-braxton-ashcraft-faces-first-true-mlb-push-back
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/pittsburgh-pirates-rotation-shaken-as-braxton-ashcraft-faces-first-true-mlb-push-back.md
Podcast: [Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933)
Published: 2026-07-21T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pirates/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/c332f6/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a/episodes/425d2cbc-3d2f-4881-a4c9-f33a374539c0/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a&awEpisodeId=425d2cbc-3d2f-4881-a4c9-f33a374539c0&feed=z3NI6hOx
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Duration seconds: 2051

## Resource

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft hits a rough patch as major league hitters figure him out—can he make the crucial adjustments before the season slips away? Meanwhile, rookie Esmerlyn Valdez launches a historic power surge, blasting 14 home runs in just 32 games and rapidly emerging as a top contender for National League Rookie of the Year. Gary Morgan breaks down Ashcraft’s mechanical struggles, fatigue issues, and the league’s counterattack, raising critical questions about the Pirates’ pitching depth and the front office’s trade deadline strategy. The discussion spotlights Valdez’s game-changing at-bats, how his presence is reshaping Pittsburgh’s lineup, and evaluates whether Ben Cherington’s biggest mistake would be ignoring the pressing need for a veteran starter. Mailbag questions tackle bullpen roles, the impact of potential roster moves, and what it will take for the Pirates to turn this season’s promise into a postseason run.

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