Chris Sale Commends Braves Rookie Hurston Waldrep’s Remarkable Rise
In the lead-up to his Saturday start, Atlanta Braves rookie pitcher Hurston Waldrep has garnered significant attention, not only for his impressive performance but also for the praise he received from veteran lefty Chris Sale, a player on track for future Hall of Fame honors.
A Stellar Performance
Waldrep, who made waves last month with an astounding 1.01 ERA over six appearances, five of which were starts, has quickly become a key player for the Braves. His ascension in the league has not gone unnoticed, particularly by Sale, who highlighted Waldrep’s electric pitching capabilities. “His stuff is obviously electric,” Sale remarked. “It’s cool for me, because you saw him come up last year; it was just kind of overwhelming for him, right? And you never know what’s going to happen with that.”
An Unconventional Path to the Mound
The circumstances surrounding Waldrep’s rise to the majors were anything but typical. Sale pointed out the unusual nature of Waldrep’s call-up, which involved an early morning trek to Bristol, Tennessee, to pitch on a day when the Braves were not originally scheduled to compete. “The game starts. It gets rained out. He gets a phone call. He’s driving up. There’s kind of a lot going on for a guy like that,” Sale noted, reflecting on the pressures young players often face.
Despite these challenges, Waldrep not only maintained his composure but also delivered a standout performance, pitching 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball to secure his first major league victory. This milestone allows him to lay claim to being the only pitcher to earn a win in Tennessee, a unique footnote to his burgeoning career.
Refining the Craft
Since his debut, Waldrep has developed a reputation for his devastating splitter and refined mechanics. Sale observed how the young pitcher utilized his time in Triple-A to address areas needing improvement. “You see a guy who went back to Triple-A, and he clearly did exactly what he needed to do in that time,” Sale said. The nine-time All-Star is particularly impressed with Waldrep’s dedication to his craft, acknowledging the hard work he puts into his routine.
“He’s really honed in on what makes him successful, and his work ethic is unbelievable,” Sale continued. “I mean, he’s got a very, very good routine. He’s definitely ahead of the curve there. I’m definitely excited to be able to sit front row and watch that, hopefully for a few years.”
A Look Ahead
With Sale returning from the injured list, the two pitchers will be teammates in the Braves’ rotation moving forward. As Sale enters the final year of his contract, he anticipates having ample opportunity to witness Waldrep’s continued growth on the mound. The combination of Sale’s experience and Waldrep’s raw talent could prove to be a dynamic force for the Braves as they navigate the rest of the season.
