Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Fans career-high 11 for Gwinnett
Rotowire
Waldrep gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, striking out a career-high 11.
In his first start since getting bumped up from Double-A Mississippi, Waldrep was dominant, firing 64 of 89 pitches for strikes against a Norfolk lineup that included top O's prospects like Heston Kjerstad and Connor Norby. Kjerstad did tag the right-hander for a two-run homer in the first inning, but Waldrep got locked in after that. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he sports a 3.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB through 55.1 innings this season. Given the issues Atlanta has had filling out the back of its big-league rotation, Waldrep could earn one more promotion before the end of the year if he continues to post strong numbers for Gwinnett.
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Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Bumps up to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta promoted Waldrep from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Atlanta recently turned to Waldrep's Double-A rotation mate, Spencer Schwellenbach, to fill the vacancy in its big-league rotation, but the former ended up receiving a promotion of his own a few days later. He made his Gwinnett debut in Sunday's 3-1 loss to Norfolk, striking out a season-high 11 batters over six innings while allowing three runs on five hits and one walk. Prior to moving up to Gwinnett, Waldrep had overwhelmed competition at the Double-A level, pitching to a 2.92 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB in 49.1 innings. Though he doesn't possess a spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster, Waldrep could still be in line to make his big-league debut later in 2024 if he continues to find success at Gwinnett.
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Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Clicking at Double-A
Rotowire
Waldrep allowed one run on six hits over eight innings for Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday, striking out eight without walking a batter.
The 22-year-old right-hander had a bumpy beginning to his season, coughing up 10 runs in seven innings over his first two starts, but since then Waldrep has been on fire. Over his last five outings, the 2023 first-round pick has produced a 1.16 ERA and 26:9 K:BB through 31 innings while giving up zero homers. Atlanta would like to see more strikeouts out of Waldrep, but he's put himself back on track to potentially compete for a big-league rotation spot in 2025, and an MLB debut later this summer isn't out of the question.
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Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Beginning season at Double-A
Rotowire
Waldrep will begin the season at Double-A Mississippi, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 22-year-old right-hander ended last season by making one start for Triple-A Gwinnett, but he'd made only three starts for Mississippi prior to that, so this isn't a demotion. It does mark Waldrep as firmly behind AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder in the pecking order for a potential call-up to the majors, however. Waldrep zoomed through four levels last year after being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, posting a 1.53 ERA and 41:16 K:BB over 29.1 innings, but he didn't work five or more innings in any of his outings. He'll focus on improving his stamina and command at Double-A, and a midseason bump to Triple-A seems likely.
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Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Waldrep was reassigned to minor-league camp by Atlanta on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Waldrep had an impressive spring debut March 3, when he pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The 24th overall pick in the 2023 Draft could make his major-league debut this season if he pitches well in the minors.
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Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Solid spring debut
Rotowire
Waldrep walked two and struck out two without giving up a hit over two scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.
One of Atlanta's top pitching prospects had a good showing in his spring debut, entering the game in the fifth inning and promptly fanning Danny Jansen. Waldrep wound up tossing 19 of 34 pitches for strikes, and improving his control will be a point of emphasis for the 22-year-old right-hander this season after he posted a 41:16 K:BB in 29.1 innings across four levels last season in his pro debut. While he almost certainly won't break camp on the Opening Day roster, Waldrep appears poised to see action with Atlanta at some point this summer after being the 24th overall pick in the 2023 Draft.
Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Will be in major-league camp
Rotowire
Atlanta announced Friday that Waldrep received an invitation to major-league spring training.
The No. 24 overall selection in the 2023 Draft, Waldrep cruised through four minor-league levels last season, posting a 1.53 ERA and 41:16 K:BB over 29.1 innings covering eight starts. Slated to turn 22 next month, Waldrep is likely headed back to Triple-A Gwinnett to start 2024, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he makes some starts for Atlanta this season.
