With their first selection of the 2023 MLB draft, the Atlanta Braves select Hurston Waldrep from the University of Florida!
With the 24th pick in the 2023 #MLBDraft, the Atlanta Braves select @HurstonWaldrep!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/BTBSdF3N5m
— AtBraves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Braves) July 10, 2023
MLB pipeline had Waldrep as the 19th ranked prospect coming into the draft.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 Slider: 55 Splitter: 65 Control: 45 Overall: 55
Waldrep is a three-pitch power pitcher. His fastball sits in the upper 90s and topped out at 99. He also features a plus splitter that could take another step with the right coaching. He will need to get better at tunneling it with the fastball. He also features an upper 80s slider that has the ability to get swings and misses as well. This was seen as he struck out 156 of 449 batters, good for a 34.7% strikeout rate!
The big concern is the command. He walked 57 of the 449 batters in 2023, a 12.7% walk rate. Not ideal. Scouts say his up-tempo delivery causes inconsistencies with the command and control and could be fixed with the right coach in his ear.
This is a pure stuff selection. The upside is real with Waldrep, but he will need to iron some things out to be a regular major league starter in the future. If the Braves get the development down though, he has the potential to be a solid number 2 starter in the major leagues at his peak. However, if the command continues to be an issue, there is thought that the fastball/splitter combo would be deadly in the backend of the bullpen.
The Atlanta Braves have selected RHP Hurston Waldrep. As high a ceiling of any arm in the Draft. Pitches in the 95-99 mph range with his heater that has serious carry, high-80s SL is a ++ pitch with serious teeth (3,000+ RPM). SPL/CH is also a 70-pitch. pic.twitter.com/j7vjFMNhMP
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) July 10, 2023
As we know, the Braves farm system is certainly thin. That, plus the uncertainty of the MLB draft in general means the organization should be looking to go "best available" in their eyes. Waldrep falling made this an easy choice. Add in that he is from Cairo Georgia and it makes even more sense to take the kid from Braves country.
He could be a bullpen arm for the Braves by the end of 2024 but that is likely a 90th percentile outcome. Waldrep is much more likely to have an ETA of mid-2025 to early 2026, depending on how quickly the command issues get ironed out.