According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep will make his big-league debut on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Originally slated to start the game, Max Fried will now have his outing pushed back to Tuesday to give him some extra rest. Waldrep, a 22-year-old who was the No. 24 pick in last year’s draft from the University of Florida, has impressed in his minor-league starts this season with a 3.09 ERA and a 3.28 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
CBS Sports has recognized Waldrep as one of the top pitching prospects in the minors, praising his fastball-splitter combination. Although he has struggled with command in the past, Waldrep has shown improvement with a lower walk rate this season. The Braves have a strong track record in pitching development, and Waldrep could potentially be a hidden gem from last year’s draft class given their expertise in maximizing player talent.
During his Triple-A start, Waldrep showcased his trapdoor splitter as his primary pitch, alongside a mid-90s fastball and a slider he also throws. This impressive performance highlights the potential for Waldrep to excel at the major league level and continue to develop under the guidance of experienced Braves pitchers like Fried and Schwellenbach.