Hurston Waldrep Bio
Hurston Wayne Waldrep is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on March 1, 2002, he made his major league debut in 2024 after a rapid rise through the minor leagues. He is recognized for a strong college resume at Southern Mississippi and Florida, and for a professional fast track that began when Atlanta selected him in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
A right-handed pitcher known for an outstanding splitter, Waldrep has drawn attention as one of the more promising young arms in the Braves organization. His career so far spans high school stardom in Georgia, two college programs, and a debut season that positioned him for an expanded role with Atlanta.
Early Life and Background
Waldrep attended Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Georgia, where he played on the baseball team as a pitcher and also handled placekicking and punting duties for the football team. He earned All-State honors in both sports, demonstrating rare two-sport ability at a young age. That versatility helped him build the competitive foundation that has carried into his professional career.
When the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft was shortened, Waldrep went unselected and chose to continue his playing career at the collegiate level. He enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, setting the stage for the next chapter of his development as a pitcher.
Path to Baseball
At Southern Mississippi, Waldrep pitched 16 and one-third innings in relief as a freshman in 2021, going 1-0 with a 3.31 earned run average and 16 strikeouts. He returned for the 2022 season as the program’s Sunday starter, and over 17 starts he went 6-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 140 strikeouts, and 33 walks across 90 innings. That breakout year established him as one of the top arms in college baseball.
Following the 2022 season, Waldrep entered the transfer portal and committed to the University of Florida. He also played that summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. As a junior at Florida in 2023, he started 19 games and went 10-3 with a 4.16 ERA and 156 strikeouts over 101 and two-thirds innings, reinforcing his status as a top MLB prospect heading into the 2023 draft.
Hurston Waldrep Career
Early Career (2023)
The Atlanta Braves selected Waldrep in the first round, with the 24th overall pick, in the 2023 MLB Draft. On July 13, 2023, he signed with Atlanta for a contract worth $2,997,500. He made his professional debut with the Augusta GreenJackets, striking out eight in a single three-inning start, before earning a quick promotion to the Rome Braves.
With Rome, Waldrep threw twelve innings and recorded seventeen strikeouts, which led to a promotion to the Mississippi Braves. On September 23, 2023, he made his first appearance at the Triple-A level with the Gwinnett Stripers, completing a debut professional season that included four different affiliates.
MLB Debut and Rookie Season (2024)
Waldrep was invited to major league spring training before the 2024 season and began the year at Double-A Mississippi. On June 9, 2024, the Braves selected his contract to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the same day against the Washington Nationals.
In two starts during his rookie campaign, Waldrep struggled to a 0-1 record and a 16.71 ERA with three strikeouts over seven innings of work. The small sample size reflected the difficulty of adjusting to big league hitters, but the experience gave him a foundation to build on.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025-Present)
Waldrep was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2025 season, where he continued his development as a starting pitcher. He earned his first career MLB win on August 3, 2025, during the Speedway Classic, after being temporarily promoted when the contest was suspended due to rain the previous day. He became the first pitcher credited with a win in the state of Tennessee in MLB history.
The milestone was also the first MLB win by a Thomasville-based pitcher since Levale Speigner in 2007, underscoring how meaningful the moment was for both Waldrep and his hometown. The performance signaled his continued growth within the Atlanta organization and set the stage for further opportunities at the major league level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waldrep is best known for the quality of his splitter, a pitch that drew significant attention when he was a prospect. That offering, paired with his strikeout profile from his college years, gives him a swing-and-miss tool that travels well from the minor leagues to the majors. His ability to miss bats remains the central pillar of his long-term outlook.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable moments, Waldrep’s first MLB win in the Speedway Classic on August 3, 2025, stands out. He became the first pitcher credited with a win in Tennessee in MLB history and the first Thomasville-based pitcher to win an MLB game since Levale Speigner in 2007. Those markers, along with his 24th overall selection in the 2023 draft, define the early highlight reel of his career.
Hurston Waldrep Career Wins
Hurston Wayne Waldrep’s professional career has produced steady progression from his first minor league outings through his first major league victory. The Atlanta Braves selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and he has since logged time with Augusta, Rome, Mississippi, Gwinnett, and Atlanta. His verified major league win came on August 3, 2025, marking a clear step forward in his development.
MLB Highlights
Waldrep’s first MLB win came in the Speedway Classic on August 3, 2025. In that appearance, he became the first pitcher credited with a win in the state of Tennessee in MLB history. The start added an important data point to a career that began with two challenging outings during his 2024 debut season with Atlanta.
Across his brief major league tenure, Waldrep has logged seven innings over two starts in 2024 before his first win in 2025. Each outing continues to build the foundation for a larger role with the Braves rotation as he gains experience against big league lineups.
Hurston Waldrep Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Waldrep’s family background are not fully documented in available sources. He grew up in Thomasville, Georgia, where he attended Thomasville High School and developed into a multi-sport athlete. Further confirmed information about his parents and family lineage is not available.
Personal Life
Public, verified details about Waldrep’s personal life are limited. He is American by nationality and has spent his early professional career within the Atlanta Braves organization. Additional confirmed information about his residence, marital status, or other personal matters is not available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Waldrep at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he continued refining his splitter and building stamina as a starter. He earned his first MLB win on August 3, 2025, in the Speedway Classic, after being temporarily promoted when the game was suspended due to rain the previous day. That outing produced a historic result, as he became the first pitcher credited with a win in the state of Tennessee in MLB history.
Throughout the year, Waldrep has remained a depth option for the Atlanta rotation, with the ability to step in as needed at the major league level. His combination of strikeout ability and splitter command gives the Braves a developmental arm capable of contributing meaningful innings when called upon.
Looking ahead, Waldrep’s continued progression between Gwinnett and Atlanta will likely determine his long-term role within the organization. The 2025 campaign has already produced a signature win and a memorable milestone, offering a positive foundation for the seasons that follow.