| Aaron Ashby | |
| Team: | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Number: | 26 |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 24 May 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Left |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | June 30 |
| Debutyear: | 2021 |
| Debutteam: | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Statyear: | July 18, 2024 |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 5–14 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 4.57 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 170 |
| Teams: |
|
Aaron Phillip Ashby (born May 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Brewers chose Ashby in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2021.
Ashby attended Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated in 2016. He enrolled at Crowder College, where he played college baseball. The Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected Ashby in the 25th round, with the 764th overall selection, of the 2017 MLB draft.[1] He did not sign with the Rangers and returned to Crowder.[2]
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Ashby in the fourth round, with the 125th overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Helena Brewers, and also played for the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, posting a cumulative 2–3 record and 3.59 ERA in 13 games. In 2019, Ashby split the season between Wisconsin and the High-A Carolina Mudcats, logging a 5–10 record and 3.50 ERA in 24 appearances between the two teams.[4]
Ashby did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2021 season. Ashby was shifted to the bullpen in June, and recorded a 4–1 record and 4.50 ERA in 12 games for the team.[6]
On June 29, 2021, the Brewers announced that they would promote Ashby to the major leagues for the first time.[7] He was formally selected to the 40-man and active rosters the on June 30.[8] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting pitcher against the Chicago Cubs. In his debut, he went of an inning and allowed 7 runs, 4 earned. At the end of his 1st season, he played in 13 games, 4 in which he started, and he put up a record of 3–2, with an ERA of 4.55 and 39 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.[9]
On July 23, 2022, the Brewers and Ashby agreed on five-year contract extension that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season, with club options for 2028 and 2029.[10] He made 27 appearances (19 starts) for Milwaukee in 2022, registering a 2–10 record and 4.44 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 107.1 innings pitched.
On February 16, 2023, it was announced that Ashby would miss "a couple of months" with left shoulder inflammation.[11] On April 5, manager Craig Counsell announced that Ashby would require arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder, and would likely miss the entire 2023 season.[12]
The Brewers optioned Ashby to Triple–A Nashville to begin the 2024 season.[13]
Aaron is the nephew of former MLB pitcher Andy Ashby.[14] Married Avery Ashby in 2023.