Hurston Waldrep set to make his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday

Former Florida Gator and 2023 Atlanta Braves first-round pick Hurston Waldrep is reportedly set to make his first MLB start on Sunday.

According to Braves writer Justin Toscano, Waldrep has been called up and is ready to start on Sunday. Toscano tweeted Saturday: “BREAKING: Hurston Waldrep is here. It starts tomorrow.

This is very exciting news for Atlanta and, of course, for Waldrep himself.

Last summer, Waldrep went 24th overall to the Braves, becoming the 19th Gator to be drafted in the first round and the 12th pitcher to do so in program history. He is the 11th best player drafted in team history and the sixth best pitcher out of 217 draft picks all-time.

During the Gators’ 2023 season, which ended in the College World Series, Waldrep was Florida’s primary Saturday starter after transferring from Southern Miss. He even led the team with 156 strikeouts, a 4.16 ERA, and a 10-3 record in 2023 before turning pro. Waldrep earned 2023 Collegiate Baseball first-team All-American honors for his play on the mound with the Gators.

Waldrep competed at Southern Miss for two seasons before Florida, earning D1Baseball Third Team All-American honors in 2022. He pitched to a 7-2 record with a 3.22 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 28 career appearances spanning 106 1/3 innings with the Royal Eagles.

Waldrep joined teammate Wyatt Langford as a first-round pick, with Langford being drafted No. 4 overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2023 MLB Draft.