As talented as 20-year-old Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes is, it wasn’t entirely shocking to see him struggle against the New York Mets on Wednesday. With just six starts above Double-A before his call-up, Fuentes was thrown into the fire early, facing a lineup packed with dangerous left-handed bats in only his second MLB start. The odds were stacked against him, and despite his potential, the inexperience showed.
Still, the Braves are in desperate need of rotation help with Chris Sale sidelined, and Fuentes’ early performances suggest he’s not quite ready to fill that role. His struggles raise the inevitable question: who does Atlanta turn to next? According to Braves insider Mark Bowman, Hurston Waldrep could be in line for another big-league opportunity sooner rather than later.
Waldrep’s first taste of the majors in 2024 was rough, surrendering 13 earned runs in just seven innings before injuries and performance issues sent him back to Triple-A. Since then, he’s worked on refining his fastball, and while his strikeout numbers have improved, command remains a concern — evidenced by a 5.60 ERA and ongoing walk troubles through 14 starts this season.
Even with those concerns, the Braves may not have many options left. With Fuentes looking raw, Reynaldo López still recovering, and Waldrep already on the 40-man roster, the team might be forced to give him another shot. Like it or not, Braves fans should prepare to see Waldrep back on a major league mound — ready or not.
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