Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch during the Atlanta Braves' game against the Cincinnati Reds at the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn.
Waldrep Logs First MLB Win at Bristol Motor Speedway
Monday, August 4, 2025 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Florida All-American right-hander Hurston Waldrep earned his first-career MLB victory with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday as he defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the 2025 Bristol Motor Speedway Classic.
Last weekend's MLB Speedway Classic between the Braves and Reds marked the first-ever MLB game at a professional racetrack, as Waldrep became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a win in the state of Tennessee.
Making his 2025 season debut, Waldrep entered Sunday's game with one out in the bottom of the first inning and the Braves trailing by one run after an extensive weather delay on Saturday suspended the contest. Waldrep stranded his two inherited runners and proceeded to fire 5 2/3 stellar innings of relief, allowing just one run. The Thomasville, Ga. Native surrendered just three hits and two walks while striking out four Reds.
For Waldrep, the outing represented the best of his MLB career in just his third appearance in the Big Leagues. Although he was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Waldrep is expected to rejoin the Braves to make another start during Saturday's doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.
In his lone season as a Gator in 2023, Waldrep played a vital role in propelling Florida to the 2023 College World Series Finals and an SEC Title. He earned Second Team All-America honors (D1Baseball) and set the Florida program record for strikeouts per nine (13.8) in a career after making 19 starts with a 10-3 record in 101 2/3 innings. Waldrep posted a 4.16 ERA and .228 batting average against to go along with 156 strikeouts – the second-highest, single-season total in team history.
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Last weekend's MLB Speedway Classic between the Braves and Reds marked the first-ever MLB game at a professional racetrack, as Waldrep became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a win in the state of Tennessee.
Making his 2025 season debut, Waldrep entered Sunday's game with one out in the bottom of the first inning and the Braves trailing by one run after an extensive weather delay on Saturday suspended the contest. Waldrep stranded his two inherited runners and proceeded to fire 5 2/3 stellar innings of relief, allowing just one run. The Thomasville, Ga. Native surrendered just three hits and two walks while striking out four Reds.
For Waldrep, the outing represented the best of his MLB career in just his third appearance in the Big Leagues. Although he was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Waldrep is expected to rejoin the Braves to make another start during Saturday's doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.
In his lone season as a Gator in 2023, Waldrep played a vital role in propelling Florida to the 2023 College World Series Finals and an SEC Title. He earned Second Team All-America honors (D1Baseball) and set the Florida program record for strikeouts per nine (13.8) in a career after making 19 starts with a 10-3 record in 101 2/3 innings. Waldrep posted a 4.16 ERA and .228 batting average against to go along with 156 strikeouts – the second-highest, single-season total in team history.
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