The Atlanta Braves are no strangers to having talented prospects at the minor league level. Atlanta promoted one of those prospects earlier in the week as Spencer Schwellenbach made his MLB debut, making the jump from Double-A Mississippi.
On Saturday afternoon, the Braves announced they would promote another top pitching prospect from Mississippi. This time, Hurston Waldrep has been promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett after an impressive performance in May.
Happy Triple-A promotion day to @HurstonWaldrep!
— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) June 1, 2024
Waldrep finished May with a 1.19 ERA over five starts, 31 strikeouts to seven walks.
Take care of him, @GoStripers! pic.twitter.com/QWSyqmnFec
Braves promote top pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep to Triple-A Gwinnett
Waldrep posted a 2.92 ERA over nine starts with three wins and four losses so far this season. After 49.1 innings, he's walked 17 batters and struck out 48.
The numbers for May are even more impressive with a 3-1 record and a 1.19 ERA through five starts with seven walks and 31 strikeouts. That's good enough for 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
He moved quickly through the system after being drafted in 2023 and ended the year with the Gwinnett Stripers. However, he ran into some issues at the beginning of the 2024 season which slowed his progression. Waldrep had a 5.68 ERA through the first four games of the season but that has improved drastically.
Hurston's main issue has been command, which the Braves wanted to see improvement in this season. The stuff is there including a devastating splitter that would make Kevin Gausman blush.
A lot of fans expected him to get a shot at the big league roster but it seems it was the right decision to let him stay in the minors and develop a bit more. He appeared in 4.1 innings this spring with four walks and five strikeouts. He didn't allow any runs but the high amount of walks proved the command still wasn't quite there.
However, this doesn't mean fans won't see Hurston Waldrep with the big league club at some point this season. He is knocking on the door and allowing him to get some experience at the MLB level would be beneficial as the Braves could lose two of their pitchers after this season.
Saturday Roster Moves
— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) June 1, 2024
RHP Hurston Waldrep transferred from Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett. INF/RHP David Fletcher transferred to Mississippi from Gwinnett.
To make room for Waldrep on the Triple-A roster, the Braves sent David Fletcher to Double-A Mississippi. This was a bit of a surprise but it's possible due to Atlanta having Fletcher pitch for the Stripers in recent weeks. He even made his first career start and completed five innings with six strikeouts.