The Atlanta Braves have promoted their top prospect, Hurston Waldrep, to the major league roster. Waldrep, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher and the Braves' first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. To accommodate Waldrep on the roster, the Braves transferred outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to the 60-day injured list and optioned pitcher Daysbel Hernández to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep, who has a 2.55 ERA and 3.02 FIP in 84.2 minor league innings across 18 starts, started strong in his debut, recording his first career strikeout and holding the Nationals hitless through three innings. However, he struggled in the fourth inning, allowing multiple base runners and a home run. Despite the mixed results, Waldrep's splitter, his most effective pitch, showed promise.
Waldrep's splitter is great, but he's not ready to be a big league starter. That's not a knock. Few guys are ready after 84 IP. He and Schwellenbach are helping create extra days for Sale and Lopez. At some point Elder & Co. can do this while the kids get experience
Hurston Waldrep made his MLB debut today Waldrep cruised through 3 innings before collapsing in the 4th. His command fell apart as he allowed a lot of base runners and eventually a HR. His splitter graded out and performed well despite the poor results https://t.co/L4X01L94LW
The big leagues is a different animal altogether, as @EOF34 says frequently. Hurston Waldrep is going to be really good, just not today. Very few are after so little time in the minors, regardless of talent.
Waldrep has faced the minimum and totaled just 28 pitches through three. The Nats have whiffed w/ 4 of 6 swings vs. the splitter.
The Nats' first time through the lineup against Hurston Waldrep in his MLB debut: 0 hits, 1 walk, 28 pitches seen, 0-for-4 on first pitches put into play.
Braves No. 2 prospect Hurston Waldrep records his first big-league K! 💪 https://t.co/zQoYybTmjG
Welcome to The Show, Hurston Waldrep! First career strikeout for the @Braves No.2 prospect making his Major League debut! 💪 https://t.co/1Mg4kG0Njm
Hurston Waldrep Welcome to the Show! https://t.co/VTcNgUDIBl
Our #80 overall prospect Hurston Waldrep picks up his first career strikeout! https://t.co/5kXQYBtK0L
Hurston Waldrep, Back-to-Back Splitters. ✌️✌️ 1st MLB K https://t.co/EKkKvMm6qE
Got Eddie Rosario swinging at a splitter, which is Waldrep’s best pitch and a damn good one. https://t.co/RvSMD5yU8t
First splitter of Hurston Waldrep's big league career comes in at 640 rpm. Ridiculous.
#Braves made room on their 40-man roster for Hurston Waldrep by moving Ronald Acuña Jr. to the 60-day IL, and opened a spot on the 26-man roster by optioning reliever Daysbel Hernández to Triple A.. Waldrep makes his MLB debut today in a series finale start against the Nats.
The Braves have called up Hurston Waldrep to the major league roster. Waldrep will start today's game. To make room him, they optioned P Daysbel Hernández to Triple-A Gwinnett and moved OF Ronald Acuña Jr. to the 60-day injured list.
Huston Waldrep officially called up for start https://t.co/j75uv4eHJ2
The #Braves today selected RHP Hurston Waldrep to the major league roster after optioning RHP Daysbel Hernández to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game. To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Hurston Waldrep built a mound in his backyard in 2020. Two years later, he developed the splitter that led the Braves to draft him 24th overall. Less than 85 innings later, he’s set to make his MLB debut. https://t.co/C0v5h9iMUE
Less than 12 months since he was drafted, #Braves’ top prospect Hurston Waldrep will start Sunday vs. the Nationals in his MLB debut. There will be splitters. https://t.co/C7o4iYPS9G
Hurston Waldrep gets the call! Waldrep has been effective in his MiLB career, posting a 2.55 ERA and 3.02 FIP in 84.2 IP The 2023 1st round pick wields a 3 pitch mix, highlighted by a fantastic splitter which has tore through batters. He makes his debut Sunday Congratulations! https://t.co/3E508axtau https://t.co/wuHSVSkOnZ
The #Braves are calling up top prospect Hurston Waldrep to start Sunday's series finale against the Nationals in Washington. Waldrep, 22, was a first-round pick less than 12 months ago out of the University of Florida and has made 18 minor league starts including 2 in Triple A.
Hurston Waldrep debut: Braves to start 2023 first-round pick on Sunday against Nationals https://t.co/Fnd4k6Twlz
Hurston Waldrep to make MLB debut Sunday vs. Nats https://t.co/3Bgz81Q6t2
Our #80 overall prospect, Hurston Waldrep, is with the Braves and is scheduled to start in his MLB Debut against the Nationals tomorrow! https://t.co/DluicfoYio
Braves To Promote Hurston Waldrep https://t.co/ePCJ0o0qVR https://t.co/BnMFuHrKVI
BREAKING: Hurston Waldrep is here. He’s starting tomorrow.
Hurston Waldrep will start tomorrow against the Nats. Fried is pushed back to Tuesday