The most watched storyline for the Atlanta Braves this spring will revolve around the tail end of the rotation.
Spencer Strider and Max Fried will give Atlanta a ton of punch at the top of the rotation. A rising young star could be in the conversation as an option that could help from the mound.
Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta's most recent first-round pick, was readying himself for opening weekend for the Florida Gators a year ago. Now, he's with the Atlanta Braves as a spring training invite. He's aware of how the Braves like to push pitchers through the ranks quickly.
"You see this organization, they like moving guys fast," Waldrep said to media earlier this week. "Obviously last year, they moved really really fast. Seeing what they've done in the past with other guys, realizing that there's always a for any guy anywhere."
Waldrep started eight games in the minors since being drafted. In 29.1 innings pitched, he allowed just 19 hits, eight runs, and a 1.53 ERA.
The young pitcher was asked if he expected to be used in the minors right after being drafted 24th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft.
"I didn't really go into it knowing if I was going to play or if I was going to stay here at the facility and just throw bullpens and prepare for this year but I'm very happy that I was able to experience that at the level that I did."
Admitting to learning a lot during his time last season, Waldrep's still got a lot left to go. Like meeting team legend and Hall of Famer John Smoltz, who famously threw a splitter, for instance.
"I mean, I'd love to talk to him, obviously. He's a Braves legend. [...] I haven't really talked to anyone about the splitter. The splitter's pretty new, still for me. It's only about a year and a half old, so. Still figuring it out day by day."
And it's that splitter that's going to carry Waldrep to success this season. He's ready, for whatever happens this season.
"Just take your opportunities and play where you're supposed to and do what you're supposed to and, you know, it'll all play out in the end."
But the Georgia native, who grew up a Braves fan, admitted he was "pretty excited" to be in big league camp: "I mean it's hard not to be fired up for something like this and take it all in and enjoy it, so that's really all I did, you know. Enjoy every step and take it all in."
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