A last second call-up put Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep on the mound in Bristol, Tenn. for the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic.
The 23-year-old right-hander would end up making history. In a 4-2 win for Atlanta, Waldrep earned the win on the mound in the Speedway Classic against the Cincinnati Reds.
It was the pitching prospect’s first appearance for the Atlanta Braves in 2025 and the first win of his Major League Baseball career.
After a rain delay pushed the historic game to Sunday, Waldrep came on after Austin Cox threw 1/3 of an inning on Saturday.
He went 5 2/3 innings as he struck out four Cincinnati hitters. He only gave up one earned run during his time on the mound.
That one run came in the bottom of the second inning, which was the Reds’ response to Atlanta’s three-run top of the second inning.
Waldrep’s Career with the Atlanta Braves – The young right-hander’s debut for the Atlanta Braves came on June 9, 2024, against the Washington Nationals on the road at Nationals Park.
He would pitch again a week later on June 16 at home in Truist Park against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In those two combined games, Waldrep pitched seven innings and had three strikeouts.
Where Does MLB Pipeline Have Waldrep Ranked? – According to MLB Pipeline, Waldrep is ranked fourth in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system. The three prospects ranked ahead of him are Cam Caminiti, JR Ritchie, and Nacho Alvarez Jr.
Photo: Hurston Waldrep throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of the MLB Speedway Classic baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Play was resumed today after yesterday’s weather delay. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
