This morning, the Braves sent Ken Giles, Ray Kerr, and J.P. Matinez to minor-league camp. All three were seemingly vying for Opening Day roster spots, but they’ll have to wait their turn before they get an opportunity in Atlanta. Joining them tonight is impressive 2023 first-round selection Hurston Waldrep, who was optioned to minor-league camp after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in today’s game.
Just like his first outing of Spring Training, Hurston Waldrep was sitting in the high-90s and showcasing his downright filthy split-finger offering. In two appearances, he didn’t allow a run and punched out five batters over 4.1 innings of work. That’s just about as good as he possibly could do, showing that he was never really considered for an Opening Day roster spot.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise. As promising as the repertoire is, Hurston Waldrep only has eight professional starts under his belt. It’s best for him to continue to fine-tune his stuff in Gwinnett until he is needed. The Braves have a plethora of starting pitchers; it really is an embarrassment of riches, so there’s no need to rush Waldrep’s development. But when the time comes, he looks like he’s more than ready whenever the Braves need him. This is a young man that has the potential to become a staple at the top of the Braves rotation before long.
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