Braves Prospects: 2023 first-round pick Hurston Waldrep promoted to Double-A
The Atlanta Braves 2nd ranked prospect is making a quick ascension through the minor league system. Waldrep’s next stop, Double-A Mississippi.
By Chase Owens
The Atlanta Braves are quickly earning a reputation for being aggressive with the promotions of their high-upside prospects. Atlanta’s 2023 first-round pick is no exception.
Today it was announced that Hurston Waldrep has earned his second promotion as a pro since being drafted 24th overall in this past July’s MLB draft. Waldrep made just three starts with High-A Rome, pitching 12 innings, while allowing just four hits, one earned run, and striking out 17 batters.
Welcome to Mississippi, @HurstonWaldrep!
— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) August 29, 2023
The 24th overall pick in the 2023 draft has been promoted to Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/4SpSmjDRZX
Waldrep headlines a few roster moves for the Mississippi Braves. The Braves second ranked prospect has been a strikeout machine since debuting and his splitter is getting rave reviews from many throughout the organization.
#Braves No. 2 prospect Hurston Waldrep has been bumped up to Double-A Mississippi.
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) August 29, 2023
Waldrep was the 24th overall pick back in July and has fanned 25 of the 58 batters he's faced over four starts between Single-A and High-A. https://t.co/QbGZ0r8383
His last start for the Rome Braves may have been his most impressive yet. In that outing Waldrep went 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 10 Ks. Thus lowering his ERA to 0.75 and earning another promotion from the Braves.
Hurston Waldrep's day is officially over
— Gaurav (@gvedak) August 26, 2023
4.2IP 3H 2R 0ER 0BB 10K
Here are all 10 strikeouts
That was...impressive. pic.twitter.com/mwNnjwveM0
Just one short month ago I wrote about three Braves prospects who should NOT get a September call-up with Waldrep among those listed. Well, Darius Vines has already made me eat my words in that article, and quite honestly I’m here for Waldrep doing the same thing.
As risky as it may be to get Waldrep up in the same year he was drafted, it is not unheard of. Just a couple weeks ago the Los Angeles Angels called up their 2023 first-round pick, Nolan Schanuel only six weeks after he was drafted. Albeit this move was from a team in hardcore desperation mode.
The Braves differ from that obviously, but if the higher-ups think Waldrep is ready to get big league hitters out they will not hesitate. My concern really boiled down to the amount of innings he threw at Florida this season. That said we know the Braves will always look out for player health first and foremost.