The Atlanta Braves were finally able to complete their Speedway Classic game against the Reds. Rain spoiled things on Saturday evening, but the weather improved on Sunday. Eli White's two-homer day led the Braves to a 4-2 victory over the Reds.
Spencer Strider was slated to start the game originally, but because of the long rain delay, Austin Cox started instead. However, the game was suspended with two runners on in the bottom of the first. This led Atlanta to be forced to bring up Hurston Waldrep to start the resumed game.
Waldrep was slated to start for Gwinnett on Sunday, so it worked out nicely. In an interview, he stated he got in a car at 5:30 a.m. and made the drive to start the game. He replaced Jonathan Ornelas as the additional player on the roster.
Making your 2025 debut at the #SpeedwayClassic? That was Hurston Waldrep's reality, and he was solid for the @Braves! pic.twitter.com/Az1Oyxero2
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2025
Atlanta's fourth-best prospect has worked hard to improve so that he is ready to face MLB hitters. He struggled last year in his brief stint with the team. However, some mechanical changes have helped get him going in the right direction.
He allowed just one run over 5.2 innings with two walks, three hits, and four strikeouts. What was most impressive was his ability to throw more strikes. That was the biggest issue he struggled with in 2024. The adjustments he made have earned him the opportunity to remain in the rotation.
Hurston Waldrep's last-minute start earned him the right to remain in Braves' rotation
The main reason Atlanta may not choose to keep him in the rotation is the still-high number of walks he tends to give up. Waldrep has a 4.42 ERA over 91.2 innings with 50 walks and 92 strikeouts. His walks per nine innings sit at an alarming 4.91, so it would be understandable if they chose not to let him face big league pitching.
However, the counterpoint to that is the Braves are out of the playoff race. It wouldn't be bad to let him get some on-the-job training. Waldrep's 9.03 strikeouts per nine innings is another reason to be optimistic. Not only that, but he also has an excellent ground ball rate of 56%.
Waldrep has proved he's coachable, and things are going in the right direction. No matter what the Braves decide to do, he showed them he is capable of coming up and giving them some length in a game. He said as much himself to Braves insider Mark Bowman.
"It's all just a chance to grow and to make myself better and to make sure everything is individually fine-tuned so that when the time comes, there's not a question about [being ready].”