Hurston Waldrep Stats & Scouting Report

IP	7
ERA	16.71
WHIP	2.43
BB/9	10.29
SO/9	3.86

Full name Hurston Wayne Waldrep
Born 03/01/2002 in Cairo, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Florida
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2023 (signed for $2,997,500).

View Draft Report

School: Florida Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 65. Control: 40.

Waldrep drew some interest from Georgia area scouts out of high school in 2020, but he made it to campus at Southern Mississippi, and struck out 140 batters in just 90 innings in 2022—the eighth-most strikeouts of any Division I arm. Following the season, Waldrep pitched with Team USA and transferred to Florida, where in 2023 he posted a 4.16 ERA over 101.2 innings, with a 34.7% strikeout rate and 12.7% walk rate. Waldrep is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander who attacks hitters with electric arm speed and some of the best pure stuff in the class. However, his delivery also features plenty of violence and movement, with a drop-and-drive lower half, a deep and long arm stroke that turns into an artificial, over-the-top slot thanks to a significant tilt, with plenty of head whack and recoil in his finish. That delivery and Waldrep’s track record as a below-average strike thrower add considerable reliever risk to his profile, but his pitch mix counters that with tantalizing upside potential. His fastball sits 95-96 mph and has been up to 99 mph and he has a trio of secondaries that are all now swing-and-miss offerings. His upper-80s split-changeup is a vicious pitch that completely falls off the table as it approaches the plate with 1,200 rpm spin and around 14 inches of IVB separation from his fastball. He also throws a downer, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 80s and a hard, mid-80s slider. He flashes four plus offerings, but he sprays his fastball consistently and will need to throw the ball over the plate more frequently in pro ball to stick as a starter.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.

Track Record: Waldrep was drafted with the 24th pick in 2023, signed for an under-slot deal of $2,997,500 and raced to Triple-A that summer. In his first full pro season in 2024, Waldrep posted a 3.47 ERA across four levels, though most of his time came at Double-A and Triple-A. He also made his MLB debut but struggled in two starts.

Scouting Report: Waldrep is an impressive athlete with quick arm speed and a high-effort delivery which features a steep slot and significant head whack in his finish. His three-pitch mix includes a 94-96 mph fastball that touches 98-99, as well as an upper-80s slider and mid-80s split-changeup. While his fastball has plenty of power, it doesn’t have the shape of a true bat-misser in the majors. There’s a bit of cutting action, but not much carry. Waldrep also hasn’t shown the sort of fastball command necessary to avoid damage in the zone. Instead, he’ll need to rely on his secondaries, which are both solid. Waldrep throws his slider in the 85-90 mph range, and it’s an above-average pitch at times. His real weapon is a plummeting, mid-80s split-change. The pitch parachutes out of his hand and is equally effective against lefties and righties, and in 2024 it generated a 26% swinging-strike rate. Waldrep is an erratic strike thrower with an 11.4% career walk rate, and his reliance on a splitter that is typically difficult to throw for strikes adds to his reliever risk.

The Future: Waldrep could find success as a big league starter with high slider and splitter usage, but he’ll need to throw more strikes to do so. If not, he should have the stuff to carve out a mid-leverage reliever role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Split: 60 | Control: 40
BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Waldrep started his career at Southern Mississippi, where he showcased some of the best pure stuff and arm speed in the country. After a stint with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Waldrep spent his junior season at Florida, where he finished third in the country with 156 strikeouts in 2023. The Braves signed him to an under-slot deal just under $3 million with the 24th pick and he moved from Low-A Augusta all the way to Triple-A Gwinnett in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: Waldrep has a chance for three plus pitches, starting with a fastball that has easy plus velocity and averages 95-96 mph but has been up to 99 in the past. The pitch has just average life and carry and will primarily play thanks to its velocity and his quality secondaries. Waldrep threw both a slider and curveball in college, but the Braves had him scrap the curve and focus on his slider in his pro debut--a common theme of their pitching development. He throws the slider in the mid-to-upper 80s and the pitch features sharp, two-plane bite at its best. His most devastating pitch is an upper-80s splitter that completely falls off the table and generates ugly swings against hitters unable to hold back. Waldrep generated whiff rates north of 50% with both his slider and splitter in his pro debut. He has a violent delivery with a sharp head whack and below-average control.

The Future: The Braves worked with Waldrep to improve his rhythm and tempo in his pro debut, and continued refinement of his control and command will be crucial for him to profile as a midrotation starter. If not, he has the stuff to pitch in a high-leverage reliever role. Atlanta’s fast-tracking of him indicates he could make his big league debut in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 40

Draft Prospects

School: Florida Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 65. Control: 40.

Waldrep drew some interest from Georgia area scouts out of high school in 2020, but he made it to campus at Southern Mississippi, and struck out 140 batters in just 90 innings in 2022—the eighth-most strikeouts of any Division I arm. Following the season, Waldrep pitched with Team USA and transferred to Florida, where in 2023 he posted a 4.16 ERA over 101.2 innings, with a 34.7% strikeout rate and 12.7% walk rate. Waldrep is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander who attacks hitters with electric arm speed and some of the best pure stuff in the class. However, his delivery also features plenty of violence and movement, with a drop-and-drive lower half, a deep and long arm stroke that turns into an artificial, over-the-top slot thanks to a significant tilt, with plenty of head whack and recoil in his finish. That delivery and Waldrep’s track record as a below-average strike thrower add considerable reliever risk to his profile, but his pitch mix counters that with tantalizing upside potential. His fastball sits 95-96 mph and has been up to 99 mph and he has a trio of secondaries that are all now swing-and-miss offerings. His upper-80s split-changeup is a vicious pitch that completely falls off the table as it approaches the plate with 1,200 rpm spin and around 14 inches of IVB separation from his fastball. He also throws a downer, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 80s and a hard, mid-80s slider. He flashes four plus offerings, but he sprays his fastball consistently and will need to throw the ball over the plate more frequently in pro ball to stick as a starter.

Top 100 Rankings

Career Transactions

Atlanta Braves activated RHP Hurston Waldrep.
Atlanta Braves recalled RHP Hurston Waldrep from Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves optioned RHP Hurston Waldrep to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves sent RHP Hurston Waldrep on a rehab assignment to Augusta GreenJackets.
Atlanta Braves sent RHP Hurston Waldrep on a rehab assignment to Augusta GreenJackets.
Atlanta Braves sent RHP Hurston Waldrep on a rehab assignment to FCL Braves.
Atlanta Braves sent RHP Hurston Waldrep on a rehab assignment to FCL Braves.
Atlanta Braves placed RHP Hurston Waldrep on the 15-day injured list. Right elbow inflammation.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of RHP Hurston Waldrep from Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves activated RHP Hurston Waldrep.
RHP Hurston Waldrep assigned to Gwinnett Stripers from Mississippi Braves.
RHP Hurston Waldrep assigned to Mississippi Braves from Gwinnett Stripers.
RHP Hurston Waldrep assigned to Augusta GreenJackets.
Atlanta Braves signed RHP Hurston Waldrep.