Well, let me tell ya ’bout this young feller named Hurston Waldrep. He’s a pitcher, and not just any pitcher, he’s the one who throws with his right hand for them Atlanta Braves, ya know. Born way back on March 1, 2002, down in Cairo, Georgia, that boy came up from humble beginnings. Ain’t no surprise when you hear he was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2023 draft, all the way at pick number 24. I reckon they saw something in him right away. But that ain’t where the story ends, no sir.
Now, Hurston, he didn’t just pick up that ball and become a pro overnight. Nope, he went to college first. Went all the way to the University of Florida, and that’s where folks really started taking notice of him. They say he’s got a real good arm on him—throws that fastball so hard it can make your head spin! They clock him at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour, and that’s no small feat for a young’un just startin’ out in the big leagues.
But it ain’t all been smooth sailing for this boy. Nope. He got a little bit of a rough patch there in his first season in the majors, didn’t he? In fact, in 2024, when he made his debut with the Braves, he ended up with a 0-1 record and an ERA all the way up at 16.71. That’s enough to make anyone scratch their head, ain’t it? Guess he’s still learnin’ the ropes and gettin’ used to the big stage.
But don’t count him out just yet. They say he’s a tough one, and if there’s anything I know, it’s that these young folks got a way of bouncing back when you least expect it. Now, Hurston had been out for a little while, nursin’ a hurt elbow. Been on the injured list since June, but ya gotta be patient with these things. They worked with him, and soon enough he was back in action, gettin’ ready to show the world what he’s really made of.
The Braves called him up again to start a game against the Nationals in Washington. That’s a big deal for a young feller, ya know? His first game back, nothin’ too fancy, but he’s gotta start somewhere. I reckon the Braves are hopin’ he’ll settle down, get his command on that fastball, and give them some good innings. After all, they wouldn’t keep callin’ him up if they didn’t think he had the potential to be somethin’ special.
Before he made it to the Braves, Hurston had a bit of a journey through the minors. He had to prove himself down in them lower leagues, pitchin’ in front of smaller crowds, just waitin’ for his big break. And if you ask me, that’s what makes him tough—he’s had to grind for it. Ain’t no overnight success story here, just a young man who’s got a dream and is workin’ hard to make it come true.
Now, as far as his future goes, who knows? It’s hard to say what’ll happen next, but I reckon that as long as Hurston keeps his head on straight and works through them rough patches, we’ll see him grow into a fine pitcher. Might take a few more games to get him right where he needs to be, but I believe in that boy. Just gotta give him time, just like with any good thing in this world.
What’s next for Hurston Waldrep?
- Keep workin’ on that fastball
- Stay healthy and out of that injury list
- Show the Braves he’s ready for the big time
- Maybe one day, we’ll see him throwin’ no-hitters—who knows?
It ain’t all about one bad season. I say let’s wait and see what the future holds for Hurston. He might just surprise us all.
Tags：[Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta Braves, right-handed pitcher, MLB, fastball, University of Florida, Braves draft, 2023 MLB draft, pitching debut, minor leagues]
