Aaron Ashby is the nephew of ex-big league pitcher and fellow Crowder (Mo.) alumnus Andy Ashby, who has put up some of baseball’s most absurd numbers this season.
Ashby came to Crowder as an 83-86 mph lefty with a decent breaking ball but lacked the strength to consistently repeat his delivery.
Ashby (born May 24, 1998) is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB). The Brewers selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.
Ashby was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round, 125th overall, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft out of Crowder College.
He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Helena Brewers and also appeared in 13 games for the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, posting a 2-3 record and 3.59 ERA.
Ashby split the 2019 season between Wisconsin and the High-A Carolina Mudcats, posting a 5-10 record and 3.50 ERA in 24 appearances.
The Brewers announced on June 29, 2021, that Ashby would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time. On June 30, he was formally added to the 40-man and active rosters.
That day, he made his MLB debut as the starting pitcher against the Chicago Cubs. In his debut, he pitched 23 pitches and allowed 7 runs, 4 of which were earned.
He finished his first season with a 3-2 record, an ERA of 4.55, and 39 strikeouts in 31.2 innings after appearing in 13 games, four of which he started.