Ryan Palencer

After making his Major League debut on May 26, Braxton Ashcraft capped off a strong stretch in his career, where he’s jumped from A-Ball to the big leagues in just under 26 months since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. A lot of this success, Ashcraft credits to the pace and rhythm he’s able to generate on the mound. “For me, I grew up, playing the field,“ Ashcraft said. “I know how much more engaged I was, when the pitcher was working fast.

While the 2025 season has seen some ups and downs early on for Nick Yorke, he knows that his approach works. Though confidence is a big key to any baseball player’s game, Yorke is able to base that belief this season on how last season wrapped up, and his promotion to Pittsburgh. “For me, it is just about knowing that I could (be a big leaguer),” Yorke said. “It’s a big confidence boost to know that what you’re doing is working, and you’re on the right track.

For most players, seeing the games begin to count and departing spring training is a task they can’t wait for. However, when you have a spring like Matt Gorski did, the feeling is a bit less eager. In Florida, Gorski hit .360 with four home runs and a pair of doubles. All of this made quite an impression on the big league club, but he was still assigned to Indianapolis to start the season. “A lot of guys like the restart from spring to here,” Gorski said.