Hurston Waldrep strikes out 11 in first Triple-A start of season
Hurston Waldrep, the Braves’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, made his Triple-A debut this season for the Gwinnett Stripers on Sunday. The right-hander pitched six innings and struck out a career-high 11 in the debut as the Stripers lost to the Norfolk Tides, 3-1.
Waldrep walked just one. He allowed five hits and three earned runs. He threw 89 pitches, 64 for strikes. He was relieved by Dylan Dodd in the seventh inning.
Waldrep, called up from Double-A Mississippi on Saturday, made his second career Triple-A start.
Waldrep allowed two first-inning runs, surrendering a double and a home run to Heston Kjerstad. He allowed a run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly after giving up a lead-off double.
Waldrep’s 11 strikeouts bested his previous high of 10, set on Aug. 26, 2023 with High-A Rome. He’s the second straight Stripers’ starter with an 11-strikeout game, following Bryce Elder, who fanned 11 over eight innings in a win on Saturday.
Waldrep was the Braves’ first-round draft pick last year, No. 24 overall. He entered the game 3-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 17 career starts over four levels since being drafted, with 89 career strikeouts.
About the Author
