Ashby's first spring start a 'real step in the right direction'

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Stepping onto the mound in his second Spring Training outing, all eyes were on Aaron Ashby.

Watching most intently from the visiting dugout was Brewers manager Pat Murphy, as he continues to assess options for his regular-season starting rotation.

“He’s building himself up and now he’s got to get outs consistently, and he can’t give up free bases,” Murphy said prior to the team's 8-2 win over the White Sox on Thursday at Camelback Ranch.

“He’s got to keep the ball in the zone. He’s got to keep the ball in front of the catcher and hold runners, and he has to pitch.”

Ashby had a checklist of objectives on his mind: get up three times, get the pitch count up and execute some good pitches. Check, check, check.

“I feel like we did that today,” Ashby said. “[We] synced up for a couple [pitches] there. There were a couple of non-competitive misses, but less than last time.”

Murphy was pleased, but can see there is room for improvement.

“It’s the best I’ve seen him in a while,” the skipper said. “Command is still not pinpoint, but I mean, it’s a real step in the right direction. So I’m excited for him.”

Ashby's first spring outing was in relief against the Dodgers on Saturday. He faced six batters, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits, including a home run, and one walk to go with one strikeout.

Against the White Sox, he faced 13 batters, yielding two runs on two hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts across 2 2/3 innings. He threw 50 pitches. Ashby called Thursday’s outing “the most normal” he’s felt after missing the entire 2023 season due to shoulder surgery.

“We keep making progress every single time,” he said. “I feel like there is still progress to be had, but we’re definitely going in the right direction.”

In 2022, Ashby struck out 126 batters in 107 1/3 innings. In 88 innings as a starter, he struck out 103.

Ashby is determined to claim a spot in the Brewers' starting rotation. It's a staff that includes Freddy Peralta, Wade Miley and a host of other candidates such as Colin Rea, Jakob Junis, Janson Junk, Joe Ross and DL Hall.

“There’s a lot of competition in the clubhouse," Ashby said. "There’s a lot of guys building up and everyone’s chomping at the bit to get those spots. It’s friendly, but at the same time, you know what you have to do and what your job is.”

Viva Las Vegas

A host of the Brewers’ top prospects will make the trip to Nevada to play in a split-squad game against the A’s on Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. CT.

• Here's the Brewers' 2024 Spring Breakout roster

Carlos Rodriguez, ranked as Milwaukee's No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is slated to start on the mound. He will be joined by top prospect Jackson Chourio (MLB's No. 2 overall), Jeferson Quero (No. 3), Tyler Black (No. 4), Joey Ortiz (No. 5), Brock Wilken (No. 7), Eric Brown Jr. (No. 12) and Bradley Blalock (No. 18).

“Those guys have the opportunity to show,” Murphy said. “To play with the best guys and play against the best guys in the world, and to show that, ‘Hey, I belong.’”

Noteworthy

• Quero has thrown out five of seven would-be base stealers in his seven Cactus League appearances.

“He’s really special,” Murphy said. “It indicates this guy can catch and throw with anybody because we’re not exactly great at holding runners yet. That’s coming.”

• Brewer Hicklen launched his second Spring Training homer off White Sox starter Dylan Cease in the second inning. Hicklen went 2-for-2, logging a single in the fifth off reliever Bryan Shaw.

• No. 25 prospect Wes Clarke also hit a homer in the fifth inning and totaled three RBIs.

• Yonny Hernández went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.