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Hurston Waldrep stuns for Gwinnett, should get another chance with Braves

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 9:32 PM ET

Over the final two months, the Braves should be willing to give several prospects a longer look at the major-league level, especially the older ones.

Among the starting pitching options, it feels like Hurston Waldrep could be called up any day now. He already experienced a cup of coffee in the majors last season, and while he had a really tough start to his 2025 campaign, he’s completely turned it around over the last month-and-a-half.

Tonight, the 2023 first-round pick was brilliant for the Stripers, needing just 85 pitches to toss seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

HURSTON. WAYNE. WALDREP. TAKE A BOW SIR.

His current line (maybe final): 7.0 IP | 5 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 1 BB | 8 Ks | 85 pitches (56 strikes)

— Stripers Report (@StripersReport) July 30, 2025

Hurston Waldrep has now gone five innings in seven straight starts. His control has still been an issue at times, but he’s only allowed more than three earned runs once over that stretch, pitching to the tune of a 2.01 ERA.

That’s a run that certainly warrants consideration for a promotion, and the Braves are desperate for starting arms. They recently made two trades to acquire Erick Fedde and Carlos Carrasco. Neither is going to help the team win many games down the stretch, but at the very least, they are capable of eating innings if needed.

However, in a perfect world, Hurston Waldrep can take over one of the spots in the rotation and stick. Not only would it help the bullpen in a big way, but it would also be a very positive development for 2026. With both AJ Smith-Shawver and Grant Holmes expected to miss all of next season, the Braves could really benefit from Hurston Waldrep taking that next step.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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