Waldrep's incredible August (0.90 ERA) reaching historic heights

MIAMI -- Hurston Waldrep’s first full month as a Major Leaguer has been one of the best months any Braves pitcher has constructed since the turn of the century.

Waldrep might not have had his best stuff on Tuesday, as he escaped numerous threats while helping the Braves claim an 11-2 win over the Marlins at loanDepot park. But he maintained his sub-1.00 ERA and strengthened his bid to be named the National League’s Pitcher of the Month and Rookie of the Month.

“It’s good being able to come to the office every day and work and see everything pay off,” Waldrep said. “But you can't sit here and reflect for too long.”

Thanks to a nine-run ninth inning, keyed by Marcell Ozuna’s leadoff double and Vidal Bruján's go-ahead double, the Braves improved to 5-0 in Waldrep’s appearances this year. Ozzie Albies capped his first multihomer game since July 4, 2023, with a three-run shot in the ninth, having also hit Sandy Alcantara’s 99.1 mph fastball into the second deck in right field during the fourth. It was the hardest-thrown pitch an Atlanta player has homered against this year.

Waldrep’s poise and determination were on display as he limited the Marlins to one run, despite allowing eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He has posted a 0.90 ERA over the 30 innings he has completed going back to Aug. 3, when he made his impromptu season debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in MLB’s Speedway Classic.

“He had to work,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I told him, ‘You earned your money tonight.’ But it was good to see there's a lot of calm in the guy, and he doesn't let the game speed up on him.”

How impressive has Waldrep's first month been? Well, there are just seven pitchers with a sub-1.00 ERA while throwing at least 30 innings in any month since 2000. The other pitchers to do this were Chris Sale (0.56 in May 2024), Mike Soroka (0.79 in May 2019), Shelby Miller (0.95 in May 2015), Alex Wood (0.90 in August 2013) Kris Medlen (0.50 in August 2012), Mike Minor (0.87 in September/October 2012) and Tom Glavine (0.89 in March/April 2002).

Waldrep, who is the Braves’ No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make one more August start on Sunday in Philadelphia. If he keeps his ERA below 1.00, he’ll join Minor and Wood as the only members of the above group to do this as a rookie.

And if Waldrep does join this group, it’s safe to assume he’ll be the only member who began his great month by having a car service drive him almost five hours to his season debut.

“I've been very impressed with the makeup, the work ethic and just how professional he is,” Snitker said. “It's been fun to see.”

As their starting rotation was decimated by injuries, the Braves resisted the urge to promote Waldrep, knowing he would benefit from additional Minor League seasoning. But once rain suspended the Speedway Classic from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, they had no choice but to call him around 11 p.m. and inform him that instead of pitching for Triple-A Gwinnett the next afternoon, he’d be facing the Reds in Bristol, Tenn.

Waldrep killed the threat he inherited when he entered the Speedway Classic with two on and one out in the first inning. That may have been a sign he could handle what he dealt with on Tuesday, when he allowed four hits in the first inning, but limited the damage to one run. But Waldrep had an even better escape act in the fourth, when he loaded the bases with none out and escaped unscathed.

“Overall, [the outing] was good, but it was a fight,” Waldrep said.

Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are the three essential locks to begin the 2026 season in Atlanta’s rotation. With health issues surrounding the candidacies of Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes, Waldrep might already stand as the next best bet to begin next season as a starter for the Braves.

“All I can do is pitch,” Waldrep said. “All I can do is play my game and show my stuff.”