The Atlanta Braves called up former Gators pitcher Hurston Waldrep from the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on Sunday.
Waldrep is the No. 4 prospect for the Braves and was selected 24th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. He struggled to start the season throughout the minors. However, in his last six starts, he has amassed a 2.43 ERA in 33 innings pitched.
Waldrep spent one season with Florida as a junior, going 10-3 with a 4.16 ERA while making all 19 of his scheduled weekend starts. His 156 strikeouts in a single season ranks second all-time in program history. He was named Second Team All-American by D1 Baseball and was selected to the 2023 Gainesville Regional All-Tournament team.
Prior to Florida, Waldrep spent two years with Southern Mississippi. In 28 career appearances, he went 7-2 with 156 strikeouts and a 3.22 ERA. In 2022, he was named Third Team All-American by D1 Baseball and helped power Southern Miss to an NCAA Super Regional appearance.
Waldrep will make his second Major League stint. He started two games last season, surrendering 13 unearned runs in seven total innings pitched before being placed on the injured list with an elbow injury. He is slated to take the mound on Monday in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian Carmona is a third-year journalism major and the Summer 2025 baseball reporter. In his spare time, he enjoys completing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about Miami sports.
