Baseball America recently spotlighted the Atlanta Braves’ farm system in its latest offseason preview, projecting the team’s top prospects and giving fans a sneak peek at the Braves’ potential 2028 roster. One of the most intriguing calls in the projection was about Hurston Waldrep.
He is the Braves’ No. 3 prospect, and is predicted to be the team’s closer five years from now. It’s a surprising pick, given Waldrep’s current role as a starting pitcher in Triple-A and his overall performance to date. But digging into this choice reveals why the Braves might be on to something big by eyeing Waldrep as a dominant bullpen force rather than a traditional starter.
Why a Top Prospect in the Closer Role?
The Braves have a rich history of turning promising pitchers into elite closers, and there’s some notable precedent for using highly rated prospects in this capacity. Craig Kimbrel was once the Braves’ No. 4 prospect and became a legendary closer from 2011 to 2014. This sets the stage for the possibility of a similar path for Waldrep. However, unlike Waldrep, Kimbrel was a pure reliever throughout his minor league career, only starting two of his 126 games before becoming Atlanta’s ninth-inning force.
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s Mariano Rivera, perhaps the greatest closer in baseball history. The Yankees originally developed Rivera as a starting pitcher. Still, he transitioned to the bullpen in his first full MLB season in 1996, where his iconic cut fastball and lethal presence locked down games for nearly two decades. Like Rivera, Waldrep is currently a starting pitcher, but some of his pitching characteristics and abilities could make him a natural fit for the intense demands of a closer role.
What Waldrep Brings to the Table
At the heart of Waldrep’s potential as a closer is his exceptional changeup, which Baseball America recently rated as the best among pitching prospects. His changeup isn’t just a complement to his fastball. It’s a weapon capable of disrupting hitters and creating the kind of swing-and-miss results ideal for a closer. Waldrep might be better suited for high-intensity, short-burst situations with his kind of velocity and movement on the ball—perfect for bullpen arms to thrive.
In his recent minor league experience, Waldrep has shown flashes of this effectiveness. Taken 24th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, he faced some challenges in his two brief MLB starts, where he allowed 13 earned runs over seven innings but rebounded to post a solid 3.38 ERA across eight Triple-A starts.
With continued development, especially in a role that allows him to focus on a single inning, the Braves might have a closer who can give everything he has, pitch after pitch, without the pacing required of a starter.
The Braves Closer Need on the Horizon
Current Braves closer Raisel Iglesias is now in his mid-30s. He had a stellar 2024 season, but the Braves need to consider who will eventually take over the reins. Waldrep’s potential as a future closer could offer the Braves an ideal long-term replacement. He has an arm capable of handling high-leverage situations and locking down critical outs.
As the Braves eye their next chapter, there’s a compelling case for Waldrep to follow in Kimbrel’s and even the great Mariano Rivera’s footsteps in securing a spot in the Braves’ bullpen, ready to bring games to a dramatic close.
While Waldrep’s journey is far from over, his arm and style of pitching fit the closer role well. Versatility and adaptability are key in the modern game. If Waldrep continues to hone his arsenal, his future may indeed lie at the back of the bullpen. He could give Atlanta the ninth-inning dominance it needs.
