Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee Brewers have inked rising left-hander Aaron Ashby to a five-year deal through 2027 and includes club options through 2029.

ESPN reports the National League Central leaders jumped at the chance to extend Ashby, who wouldn’t have been eligible for arbitration until after the 2024 season, making sure that the options in the new deal cover two seasons in which he potentially would be eligible for free agency.

Thus far this season, the 23-year-old is 2-7 with a 4.56 ERA and one save in 12 starts and six relief appearances, striking out 83 in 69 innings. Ashby made his big-league debut in June 2021, finishing the season at 3-2 with a 4.55 ERA in four starts and nine relief appearances. He is the nephew of Andy Ashby, who pitched for five major league teams from 1991 to 2004.

"Throughout his time in our organization, Aaron has demonstrated a unique combination of persistence, character and talent," Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement. "He is establishing himself as one of the premier young pitchers in baseball, and we look forward to watching his continued growth and success."

Coming off the All-Star break, the Brewers claimed the first three games of a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies, and had a chance to sweep the series with Ashby heading to the mound.

In his first start since the break, Ashby allowed just two runs over a career-high seven innings, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out nine in a 2-0 loss.