Braves Minor League Recap: Hurston Waldrep strikes out 11 for Gwinnett

Sunday saw a clean sweep going against the Braves farm system, but we got to witness some big games. The headliner is obviously the 11 strikeout Triple-A debut from Hurston Waldrep, but Kevin Kilpatrick had a huge game as well as a two homer afternoon from Brandon Parker, plus Cade Kuehler and Riley Frey had strong starts.

Norfolk Tides 3, Gwinnett Stripers 1

Box Score

Statcast

• Andrew Velasquez, 2B: 3-5 HR, 2B, R, RBI, .223/.301/.382
• Hurston Waldrep, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 11 K, 4.50 ERA
• Dylan Dodd, RP: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 4.26 ERA

Hurston Waldrep’s Triple-A debut was a strong one to say the least. Waldrep allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts over six innings – but he felt like he pitched even better than that line. Two of those runs came via a two-run homer to top prospect Heston Kjerstad, and Waldrep racked up 22 swings and misses on a total of 89 pitches. It’s worth noting just how good the Norfolk lineup is, even on a day where Jackson Holliday wasn’t in the starting lineup. After Waldrep, Dylan Dodd came in for two innings and didn’t allow and hits or runs, though walked one as he struck out two.

Outside of Andrew Velasquez the Striper offense struggled to get going on Sunday. Velasquez went three for five with a homer and double, accounting for almost half of the team’s hits. Phillip Evans went two for four and both Luke’s – Waddell and Williams – picked up doubles in the loss, with the final hit being a Ramon Laureano single.

Montgomery Biscuits 13, Mississippi Braves 5

Box Score

• Brandon Parker, LF: 2-3, 2 HR, BB, 2 R, 4 RBI, .179/.245/.345
• Tyler Tolve, DH: 2-4, 2 2B, R, .175/.213/.286
• Drake Baldwin, C: 1-4, BB, SB, .238/.307/.321

Mississippi started this game out with a bullpen day and things got ugly on the pitching side. Jake McSteen started and gave up three runs in three and a third innings of work. Trey Riley followed and gave up a run while picking up the final two outs in the fourth inning. With a scoreless inning and two thirds, Landon Harper was the lone Mississippi pitcher to not give up a run on the day. That’s when things started to fall apart, as Hayden Harris came in and gave up three runs before he was able to record one out to end the sixth inning. Rolddy Munoz followed and allowed three runs (two earned) in an inning, then Jorge Juan allowed two runs in an inning, and finally Jonathan Hughes gave up a run during his inning.

Brandon Parker had a massive day, going two for three with a walk and crushed a pair of homers while batting in four runs. Parker wasn’t the only Brave to have multiple extra-base hits in this one, as Tyler Tolve went two for four with a pair of doubles and scored a run. Cal Conley went one for two with a pair of walks to reach base three times, and both Drake Baldwin and Justin Dean were one for four with a walk to reach base twice, with Dean stealing two bags and Baldwin stealing his first of the season as well.

Greenville Drive 7, Rome Emperors 6

Box Score

• Kevin Kilpatrick, CF: 4-5 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB, .288/.346/.414
• Justin Janas, 1B: 1-4, HR, R, RBI, .250/.351/.379
• Riley Frey, SP: 4 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 0.82 ERA

Riley Frey got the start and continued his strong start to the season, allowing a run on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts over four innings. This brings his ERA in four starts with Rome to 0.82, following a 1.54 ERA in five games with Augusta, making his combined ERA 1.19 on the season. Tyree Thompson and Samuel Strickland each pitched a pair of scoreless innings in relief. Taking a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth Jared Johnson came in, but he went on to allow six runs (three earned) while recording just two outs as he gave up three hits and three walks as he battled with his command.

Kevin Kilpatrick had a big day, going four for five with a homer, steal, two runs scored, and three batted in. He wasn’t the only Emperor to homer either, as Justin Janas also hit one in the loss. Nick Ward and Ethan Workinger joined Kilpatrick by getting on base multiple times, each recording a single and a walk. Among the other prospects Sabin Ceballos was one for five with a single.

Fayetteville Woodpeckers 1, Augusta GreenJackets 0

Box Score

• Luis Sanchez, 2B: 2-5 HR, .223/.317/.280
• Cade Kuehler, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3.09 ERA
• Adel Dilone, RP: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 4.30 ERA

Cade Kuehler turned in a strong five innings, but took the loss as the Augusta offense wasn’t able to give him any support in this one. Kuehler allowed just one unearned run on four hits and two walks, and struck out three to drop his ERA to 3.09 on the season. He was followed by Adel Dilone, who pitched three scoreless innings and allowed a hit and two walks while striking out three.

Augusta wasn’t just shut out, but they struggled to get on base in the loss. The team combined for just four hits and two walks on the day, with a Luis Sanchez double and singles by Drew Compton, Will Verdung, and Cam Magee to go with walks from Kade Kern and Dawson Dimon.