2: Hurston Waldrep RHP 22 – BA: 2 BP: 1 OFFR: 2 BA has Waldrep at 100 on baseball’s top-100 player list.
Every Atlanta Braves fan who watched the game closely knows about Waldrep. The 2023 draftee sprinted through Low A, A+, to AA, and finished the year with a game at Gwinnett, though that was more of a way to give the Braves a longer look at him.
Waldrep’s 95-97 fastball and mid-80s slider are 60-grad pitches, but his best pitch is a 70-grade split-change that’s been virtually impossible to square up. His pitches play in the majors now, but his control isn’t at the same level as his stuff, and that’s why he’ll start the season in Gwinnett.
Mechanics
Unlike the other starters in this list, Waldrep’s motion isn’t clean. Smith Brickner at BP described it and why the Braves selected him.
“…the Braves…usually prioritize pitchers…with clean arm action and attractive pitch characteristics… but given that Waldrep is a far cry from a mechanical darling, thanks to his head whack from an overhand slot, it speaks to how highly they think of him.”
After reading about his questionable mechanics, I expected Alex Wood level chaos in his motion, but that wasn’t what I saw. He did remind me of Tim Lincecum. Lincecum’s mechanics were eventually too much for his frame; Waldrep is bigger and stronger.
Projections
Projections vary enough that an explanation is needed. BA landed on a FV 55 mid-rotation arm. Brickner watched a lot of video, and if the Braves can help him find consistent command of his stuff, he’s a potential Cy Young winner with a FV 70, but he lands on 60.
The folks at OFFR who watch him more closely than any of the other sites call him a frontline starter, which looks like FV 60. All agree that he has a high ceiling as a closer as well.
If Waldrep can find Lincecum’s level of control, the league’s batters have a problem. Yes, please. May I have that, please?