Clearly I missed this before now. Anyone know the back story on why he moved from the pen to the rotation?

Awesomeness from Aschenbeck 👏

He's our second consecutive starting pitcher to throw seven shutout innings! Still 5-0 Cubs headed to the eighth.#SBCubs pic.twitter.com/FS9Jk3e9OI

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) June 13, 2025

I don't think we ever started him. Schloss liked having him in the pen to be able to use multiple times in a weekend if needed. He also often said that Aschenbeck's effectiveness had to do with who he followed.

Hell, he almost cut him in fall ball

I remember the post game interview with sch**** after Asch's first appearance - against Portland State maybe? And he said he was surprised by Evan's velocity because it was 3-4 mph higher than it had ever been in practice. He's one of those guys who really steps up his game when the pressure's on.

Yeah, not saying I agree with Schloss, just reporting what he said.

I personally wanted to try Aschenbeck as a starter a few times in 2023.

Some relievers are one inning closers, some are one time through the order. Aschenbeck was capable of more than that, so I'm not surprised to see him starting in the minors. The only way to know whether or not he can do it is to give him a shot. He might still end up being a reliever as he advances, but now is the time to see what he can do in the starter role.

Hope Evan makes it to the bigs eventually. He doesn't have the flashiest stuff, but he gets outs and they can't hit him. One of the all time GOATs here in Aggieland.

He was a great starter at Blinn before he got to A&M.

The Marksman said:

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Hope Evan makes it to the bigs eventually. He doesn't have the flashiest stuff, but he gets outs and they can't hit him. One of the all time GOATs here in Aggieland.

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His story of going from Blinn, to almost being cut at A&M, to winning stopper of the year award, to now pitching in the minors is one of the best.

Makes me think about Ross Stripling. Walk-on at A&M, threw a no-hitter, pitched in the CWS, and had a very successful Major League career.

I think he'll be more of a long reliever guy potentially. But also, watching him pitch, I have no idea how he doesn't get lit up... But he doesn't. So clearly I have no idea what is going on and neither do the hitters.

Sean98 said:

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I think he'll be more of a long reliever guy potentially. But also, watching him pitch, I have no idea how he doesn't get lit up... But he doesn't. So clearly I have no idea what is going on and neither do the hitters.

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He's got three pitches that all tunnel together, meaning they all look about the same 1/3 of the way to the plate but wind up in different spots.

You can blow 90 mph past anyone if they think they're swinging at a changeup

trouble said:

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Maybe you needed a better change up

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Or a better fastball.

Working on it. I have the net up in the basement and I'm throwing again for the first time since my accident 2 years ago.

McInnis said:

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I remember the post game interview with sch**** after Asch's first appearance - against Portland State maybe? And he said he was surprised by Evan's velocity because it was 3-4 mph higher than it had ever been in practice. He's one of those guys who really steps up his game when the pressure's on.

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Reminds me when they thought Johnny held the ball too long in spring and fall practices before 2012 and he got "sacked" almost every play because he held onto it and then realized some players just play better in games than simulated practice