When the Braves claimed Charlie Morton off waivers from Detroit on September 1, it was more than a roster move. For Hurston Waldrep, it was the return of a mentor whose impact began long before Morton put a Braves jersey back on this fall.
Waldrep still recalls a spring day in 2024 when Morton, then nearing the twilight of his career, pulled him aside after a live batting practice session. “He was basically my designated pitching coach for half an hour,” Waldrep told Sports Illustrated. “I’ve never forgotten it.”
For a rookie still finding his footing, that conversation became a touchstone. Morton’s advice on sequencing, preparation, and mentality carried into Waldrep’s breakthrough season.
A Career That Commands Respect
Morton’s career arc is the kind young pitchers can learn from. Originally drafted by Atlanta in 2002, he was traded to Pittsburgh and bounced between organizations before reinventing himself in Houston and Tampa Bay. With the Astros, he won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. With the Braves, he etched his place in franchise lore by pitching through a broken fibula in the 2021 Fall Classic.
Across 17 seasons, Baseball Reference credits Morton with more than 2,200 strikeouts, three 200+ strikeout campaigns, and a 52.7 WAR. His postseason résumé — 13 wins, a 3.35 ERA — places him among the most reliable October arms of his generation.
That track record gives weight to every lesson Morton passes along. For Waldrep, who grew up a Braves fan, it made the mentorship even more meaningful.
Waldrep’s Emergence
Waldrep’s own path has already brought flashes of promise. After debuting in 2024, he locked himself into Atlanta’s 2026 rotation with a strong sophomore campaign. Known for his electric splitter and developing command, Waldrep projects as part of the Braves’ long-term core alongside Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach.
FanGraphs rated Waldrep’s splitter among the most effective pitches of the 2025 rookie class, generating a whiff rate north of 40%. His challenge remains refining command, something Morton emphasized in their conversations.
With Morton set to make one final appearance this weekend, Waldrep stands as the clearest heir to that mentorship. He represents the next generation of a rotation that must carry Atlanta back to contention.
Bridging Generations in the Rotation
The Braves’ rotation outlook for 2026 blends experience and youth. Chris Sale and Strider anchor the top, Schwellenbach and Waldrep round out the young core, and Bryce Elder made his own case with a strong finish. Morton won’t be part of the competition — his career ends at 41 — but his influence lingers.
Morton’s presence in the clubhouse and his impact on Waldrep underscore an important truth: veteran mentorship matters. The Braves of the late 2010s and early 2020s leaned on stars like Freddie Freeman to pass wisdom along. Morton has done the same for the pitching staff, ensuring that Atlanta’s next wave isn’t just talented, but prepared.
Legacy Beyond the Box Score
Morton’s 2025 stat line won’t be what Braves Country remembers. A 6.09 ERA split between Baltimore, Detroit, and one last cameo in Atlanta doesn’t define his career. What lingers instead is resilience — the curveball that baffled hitters deep into his 30s, the postseason moments under pressure, and the lessons he left behind for pitchers like Waldrep.
As Waldrep prepares to carry Atlanta’s rotation forward, he does so with guidance rooted in Morton’s example. One era of Braves pitching is closing, and another is just beginning. Morton’s mentorship ensures the two are linked, even if the box scores tell different stories.
