Well, now, let me tell you a bit ’bout this young fella, Hurston Waldrep. He’s only 22 years old, and he sure has made a name for himself, even though he’s just startin’ out in the big leagues. This boy pitches right-handed, and let me tell ya, he throws that ball fast, like a bolt of lightnin’. He’s playin’ for the Atlanta Braves, and folks are watchin’ him closely. Got drafted just last year, back in 2023, from Florida. Not bad for a young lad, right?
Now, Hurston, he’s no small fry. He’s a tall one, about 6’3″, and weighs around 205 pounds. You can tell he’s got some muscle on him, no doubt. He started off his career with a bang, gettin’ all the way up to Triple-A in his very first season. That’s not somethin’ you see every day. He showed ’em all he’s got, and I reckon that’s why the Braves took a good look at him. A big fella like that, you expect him to throw the ball hard, and that’s just what he does.
As for his pitches, well, he’s got a fastball that ain’t too shabby. It usually goes ’round 96 to 97 miles per hour, but when he’s really givin’ it all he’s got, it can hit 99 mph. That’s mighty fast, if you ask me. But it ain’t just the fastball that’s got people talkin’. He’s got a splitter too, and they say it’s a real good one, might even be his best pitch. When he’s on, he can make a hitter look downright silly.
But, I ain’t gonna sugarcoat it. Hurston’s had a rough start to his 2024 season. He hasn’t won a game yet, and his ERA’s sittin’ up there around 16.71, which is pretty tough for a pitcher. But you know what? It ain’t all bad. He’s young, and it’s only his first year in the big leagues. A lot of folks reckon he’ll figure it out, give it some time.
Now, Hurston’s had a bit of a setback, too. Back in June, he had to sit out for a while ’cause of some elbow trouble. That’s never good, especially for a pitcher, but he’s been workin’ his way back from it. He did a couple of rehab games, but it wasn’t all smooth sailin’. He gave up five runs over four innings and struck out six, so it wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t a total wash either.
Even though he’s had some tough breaks, don’t count Hurston out just yet. He’s still got plenty of time to turn things around, and that fastball of his, well, it can do a lot of damage if he gets it under control. I’d say keep an eye on him—there’s a good chance we’ll see him get better as the season goes on. The Braves know talent when they see it, and Hurston’s still one of their top prospects, even if he’s been sent back down to Triple-A for now.
Hurston Waldrep’s a name folks are gonna be hearin’ a lot more of in the future, no doubt. This boy’s got some real potential, and it’s just a matter of time before he finds his rhythm on the mound. So, here’s hopin’ he gets things sorted out and starts showin’ us just what he’s made of.
Tags:[Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta Braves, MLB, Baseball, Rookie Pitcher, Fastball, Splitter, 2024 Season, Triple-A, Elbow Injury, Pitching Prospect]