Ethan Buffalo
Reporter
Former Crowder College ace Aaron Ashby was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers this past summer during the 2018 draft. Ashby spent his first professional season in the Brewers’ minor league system and finished the year on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Milwaukee’s Single-A affiliate.
Ashby averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings professionally, continuing the type of power pitching that he demonstrated with the Roughriders. He led the nation in strikeouts his sophomore season in Neosho with 156.
Crowder’s head baseball coach Travis Lallemand showed pride in Ashby’s development. “His first season here he led the country in walks, and his sophomore year he led the country in strikeouts.” He continued, “Handling failure like that shows what a high character person he is.”
Former teammates echoed their coach’s sentiment. Sophomore Cyprien Dussenne commented about Ashby’s time at Crowder. “He gained a lot of maturity between freshman and sophomore year,” said Dussenne.
Freshman Treshon Paschal spoke with Ashby after he was drafted. “He seems like the same guy,” said Paschal. “He’s a humble guy who goes about his business.”
Ashby’s achievement shines a positive light on Crowder and as he continually succeeds, so does the school. An alumni going pro serves as a building block for the baseball team’s continued success.
“Former players are the best recruiters,” said Coach Lallemand. “His success reflects on us in a positive manner. It lets guys see what they’re able to do.”
With a full offseason and some experience against other professional players, Ashby looks to follow up his rookie season with improvement, representing Crowder College along the way.
“I’m just going to focus on making myself more consistent and reliable,” Ashby said. “There are some minor adjustments mechanically I have been and will continue to work on in the offseason to go back to spring training with.”
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