Graham Ashcraft – Cincinnati Reds Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Graham Ashcraft has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball since joining the Cincinnati Reds. Born on February 11, 1998, in Huntsville, Alabama, Ashcraft started his path to the big leagues after the Reds picked him in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Before that, he played college baseball at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Right now, Ashcraft makes $780,000 on his one-year contract with the Reds, and the full amount is guaranteed. That’s up from his previous contract of $722,500 in 2023. He’s been steadily building his career, and his current net worth sits around $1.48 million.

Ashcraft stepped onto a major league mound for the first time on May 20, 2022, after the Reds selected his contract. He brought a powerful sinker and cutter combo to the majors. He’s known for generating ground balls and limiting hard contact, which makes him a pitcher worth watching in Cincinnati’s rotation.

He’s faced the usual ups and downs of a young pitcher, but Ashcraft keeps working to sharpen his skills at the highest level.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Graham Ashcraft’s journey to the pros began in Alabama. His early development and education played a big part in shaping him as a Major League pitcher.

His formative years really set the stage for his success later on.

Childhood and Family Background

Douglas Graham Ashcraft was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on February 11, 1998.

He grew up in Gurley, a nearby community, and got swept up in the baseball culture of the American South. This region has turned out plenty of professional baseball players, so Ashcraft found both inspiration and opportunity all around him.

He caught the baseball bug early, and his family encouraged him to chase his athletic dreams. Details about his parents and siblings aren’t really out there, but it’s clear they played a big part in his journey.

Growing up in northern Alabama gave him access to competitive youth programs that helped him develop his game.

High School Achievements

Ashcraft went to Huntsville High School, where he quickly became a standout baseball prospect.

During his high school career, he showed off a strong arm and a competitive mentality that caught the eyes of pro scouts.

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft right out of high school. That early draft selection said a lot about the potential scouts saw in him.

But instead of jumping straight to pro ball, Ashcraft chose to play college baseball. He wanted to keep working on his skills and get a college experience under his belt.

College Baseball Experience

After high school, Ashcraft started his college career at Mississippi State University. He later transferred to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB).

At UAB, he really honed his pitching skills and built the pitching repertoire that would define his professional style.

While pitching for the UAB Blazers, Ashcraft’s velocity and movement improved a lot. His college performance boosted his draft stock, and the Cincinnati Reds picked him in the 6th round (174th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

His stats at UAB kept getting better, and he became one of the team’s go-to starting pitchers. Facing tough collegiate hitters helped him grow and get ready for pro baseball.

Professional Career Journey

Graham Ashcraft’s journey to the majors shows his growth from a college standout to a Cincinnati Reds starter.

He worked his way through the minors, overcoming challenges and building a reputation as a hard-throwing righty with a nasty cutter and sinker.

MLB Draft and Minor Leagues

The Cincinnati Reds picked Ashcraft in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft from UAB.

He kicked off his pro career in the Pioneer League with the Billings Mustangs, showing off his power arm.

In 2021, Ashcraft really started to turn heads in the Reds’ farm system. He started with High-A Dayton, then moved up to Double-A Chattanooga.

The organization noticed his high-90s fastball and improving secondary pitches. He moved up the minor league ranks faster than most expected.

Ashcraft developed a cutter that changed the game for him and sped up his path to the majors.

Debut with the Reds

Ashcraft debuted for the Cincinnati Reds on May 22, 2022, facing the Toronto Blue Jays.

He made an immediate impression, flashing the hard sinker and cutter that worked so well for him in the minors.

He earned a regular spot in the Reds’ rotation during his rookie season. Ashcraft threw meaningful innings and showed he could be a key part of the rotation going forward.

At 6’2″, the righty from Huntsville, Alabama, adjusted quickly to major league hitters. He used his ground-ball arsenal to work through lineups and limit hard contact, which made him a strong addition to the Reds’ young pitching staff.

Key Performances and Development

Ashcraft turned in some standout performances as he developed. In July 2022, he tossed eight shutout innings against the Marlins, showing the kind of upside he has when his command is working.

The 2023 season wasn’t all smooth sailing. Hitters started to adjust, and Ashcraft had to tweak his approach.

He worked on adding more off-speed pitches to go along with his power sinker-cutter mix.

His contract matches his early career status, paying him $780,000 for the 2023 season.

He’s moved between the rotation and bullpen at times, but the Reds see him mainly as a starter because of his durability and power.

Major Contract Details and Trades

Graham Ashcraft’s financial story in MLB so far has been about entry-level contracts with the Cincinnati Reds.

His contract status shows he’s a developing starting pitcher still working to fully establish himself.

Initial MLB Contract Terms

Ashcraft joined the Reds after they drafted him in the sixth round in 2019.

He made his major league debut on May 22, 2022, after the Reds called him up from the minors.

That promotion put him under team control for six years of service time.

In 2022, Ashcraft made the league minimum as a rookie. His first MLB contract followed the usual path for pre-arbitration players, letting the team set his salary.

The Reds showed they believed in his potential as a hard-throwing righty with a promising sinker-cutter combo.

Recent Contract Extensions

For 2023, Ashcraft earned $722,500, still in the pre-arbitration part of his career.

Heading into 2024, his salary bumped up to $780,000, according to Spotrac.

Ashcraft hasn’t signed any multi-year deals yet. He’s still under team control through pre-arbitration and arbitration.

The Reds have kept their rights to him without locking in a long-term contract.

This lets Cincinnati keep watching his development before making a bigger commitment. Once Ashcraft hits arbitration, his earnings will likely jump.

Significant Trades and Transactions

Some pitchers, like Dylan Cease and Frankie Montas, have been involved in major trades, but Ashcraft has stayed put.

He’s been with the Cincinnati Reds since they drafted him.

The biggest move in his career so far was his call-up to the majors on May 20, 2022.

The Reds have stuck with Ashcraft in their rotation, even through rough patches. Unlike trade chips such as Cease, who moved from the White Sox to the Padres, Ashcraft looks like a long-term piece for Cincinnati’s pitching staff.

Net Worth and Financial Insights

Graham Ashcraft has built up a solid foundation during his young MLB career with the Reds.

His salary and a few extra revenue streams make up his overall financial portfolio.

Estimated Career Earnings

Graham Ashcraft’s net worth is about $1.48 million, which fits with his early career status.

Most of his money comes from his contracts with the Reds.

For the 2025 season, he’s earning a salary of $780,000. That’s up from $722,500 the year before.

Since he’s a pre-arbitration player with a little over two years of service time (2.130 years as of January 2025), MLB’s salary structure keeps his earnings a bit limited for now.

But once he reaches arbitration after the 2025 season, his earnings could climb a lot.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Specific endorsement deals aren’t public, but Ashcraft is starting to build secondary income like a lot of rising MLB players do.

Pitching for a historic team like the Cincinnati Reds opens up marketing opportunities with Ohio-based companies and baseball brands.

Players in his position sometimes branch out into personal branding, merchandise, or social media deals.

Ashcraft’s growing reputation as a reliable starter could catch the eye of sports nutrition brands, athletic wear companies, or local businesses in Cincinnati.

Unlike some athletes who dive into side businesses like wine or restaurants, Ashcraft hasn’t made any big entrepreneurial moves outside of baseball yet. He seems focused on getting established in the majors first.

Teammates, Leadership, and Impact

Graham Ashcraft has become an important part of the Cincinnati Reds, both on and off the field.

His connections with teammates, leadership qualities, and involvement in the community have shaped his reputation in pro baseball.

Key Teammates and Collaborations

Ashcraft’s growth as a pitcher owes a lot to the teammates around him. He leans heavily on his battery partner, Tyler Stephenson, who helps him get through tough innings with sharp game-calling.

Veteran catcher Luke Maile jumps in with his own brand of wisdom, always ready to share tips about hitters and suggest tweaks to Ashcraft’s pitch mix. Honestly, that kind of mentorship matters a lot for a young guy just trying to find his footing.

In the infield, guys like Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz really step up for Ashcraft. They scoop up grounders and turn double plays that can change the course of an inning. That sort of defense gives Ashcraft a real boost on the mound.

Pitchers Andrew Abbott and Frankie Montas round out a pretty supportive rotation. They swap advice on mechanics and talk through strategies for facing tough lineups.

Leadership and Influence

Even though Ashcraft hasn’t been in the majors all that long, he’s already showing some leadership chops with the Reds. His work ethic stands out, and you can see younger players watching how he goes about his business.

Ashcraft doesn’t just talk—he actually leads by example. He sticks to a strict training routine and spends plenty of time digging into video analysis. Other pitchers have started to follow his lead, picking up on his habits.

Around the clubhouse, Ashcraft has a knack for keeping spirits up, especially when the season gets rough. That positive energy helps hold the team together, even when the scoreboards aren’t friendly.

Veteran teammates like Jeimer Candelario have noticed Ashcraft’s eagerness to learn and willingness to make adjustments. It’s the kind of attitude that hints he could be a future leader for the pitching staff. You don’t see that kind of maturity every day.

Community and Off-Field Contributions

Ashcraft really leans into his role as a public figure in Cincinnati. You’ll often find him jumping into different community initiatives.

He gets involved in Reds’ youth baseball clinics, sharing his love for the game and passing along tips to the next wave of players.

When the offseason rolls around, Ashcraft volunteers with local public safety organizations. It’s clear he wants to give back to the Cincinnati community, not just show up for games.

Fans appreciate how much he does off the field.

Ashcraft teams up with Spencer Steer and Will Benson to visit children’s hospitals. They do their best to lift the spirits of kids facing tough health battles.

He seems to really get how much influence a professional athlete can have, and he uses it for good.

You’ll also see the pitcher at fundraising events for the Reds Community Fund. He helps support programs that bring baseball to neighborhoods in Cincinnati that don’t always get those chances.