The Atlanta Braves announced that their first-round pick Hurston Waldrep and more were assigned to the Low-A Augusta Greenjackets. A few of these players have gotten some action down in the Florida Complex League, however, this will be the professional debut for Waldrep.
The Augusta GreenJackets, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, announced the following additions to the Augusta roster:
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) August 2, 2023
RHP Lucas Braun
3B Drew Compton
C Jacob Godman
OF Jace Grady
OF Kade Kern
SS Cam Magee
RHP Hurston Waldrep
RHP Cody Wall
Welcome to the CSRA! pic.twitter.com/szooRa4H1f
Waldrep, who comes to Atlanta from the University of Florida, will garner plenty of attention in his first action. There is some mechanical concerns for Waldrep that he will need to clean up in order to generate better control of his pitches. However, he has an extremely high ceiling, and according to some scouts, Waldrep has the highest ceiling of any pitcher in this year's draft not named Paul Skenes.
The other intriguing name is Lucas Braun, the Braves sixth-round selection out of California State. He is drawing comparisons to Shane Bieber and Tanner Bibbee, which is high praise. The hope is the Braves got a steal out of their sixth-round selection.
Others heading to Augusta are eight-round selection, Cory Wall RHP (William & Mary), eleventh-round selection, Jace Grady OF (Dallas Baptist), seventeenth-round selection, Kade Kearn OF (Ohio State), eighteenth-round selection, Cam Magee OF (Washington State), UDFA Drew Compton 3B (Georgia Tech), and UDFA Jacob Godman C (Oral Roberts),
To make room for these new additions, the corresponding moves were made: OF Bryson Worrell and C Andrew Keck were promoted to High-A Rome, OF Jeremy Celedino was placed on the Augusta Development List, INF Francisco Floyd was transferred to the Florida Complex League, and INF Eliezel Stevens was released from the Augusta roster.
Of course, the big news will always be around the first-round selection anytime his name is mentioned. There is plenty to love about Waldrep's potential. With him being a college arm, there is the possibility he moves quickly through the system.
Based on the fact that he pitched plenty during the collegiate season, the Braves will probably not want to put too much stress on his arm this year. They will give him a taste of pro ball this year and we will see how aggressive they want to be with him in 2024.