THOMASVILLE — Former Thomasville High star Hurston Waldrep heard his name called in the Major League Baseball draft Sunday as the Atlanta Braves made him a first round selection.
Thomasville High School baseball has been on a tear in recent years. The Bulldogs have secured six straight region titles despite moving up in class, they have sent many players on to the next level and even saw a former Bulldog compete for a national championship. On Sunday night, head coach Erik McDougald and the Bulldogs program added another achievement to their long list with Waldrep going No. 24 overall.
“Being with him last night, it really was a roller coaster ride,” said McDougald, who was with Waldrep and his family when he was drafted. “To hear his name called and to be in that room, it was no different than a huge touchdown scored or a three-run shot to win a game. It erupted. It went nuts.”
Waldrep has been on the Braves’ radar since high school. Known for picking up local talent and with a couple of Georgia players on the board to choose from, Atlanta chose Waldrep.
The former Bulldog began his college career in Hattiesburg, Miss., at Southern Miss before moving to Florida and becoming a Gator. Florida made a push in the College World Series this year and made it all the way to face LSU for the national title, where they fell just short.
Now, Waldrep will face a vastly different test as he wades in the waters of the Braves minor league system. He might head back to Mississippi, this time in Pearl to play for the Braves AA minor league affiliate, the Mississippi Braves.
Waldrep is in a solid farm system that has produced many all-stars. Players like Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr, and Craig Kimbrel have all gone through Pearl before making it to the big leagues. The most recent is Atlanta’s Michael Harris II, who played in Pearl and was called up to the big leagues a year ago.
“He gets to be an Atlanta Brave and I couldn’t think of a better fit for just everyone,” said McDougald.
Local fans won’t have to change their allegiance to cheer on the home town kid either, as this is Braves country and Thomasville is full of loyal fans who already know how to “chop on”.
“Everybody around here grows up cheering for the Braves,” McDougald said. “It’s just what we do.”
Waldrep has been an integral part of the Thomasville High School baseball program even after graduating. No matter if he’s in Mississippi, Florida, or Georgia, Waldrep has remained a constant presence in the Bulldogs baseball program.
“It’s incredible,” said McDougald. “It’s his connection with the guys. He has remained present. He came to our games this year, he was there, he cheered the guys on and they still know his name. Hurston, for everything he’s accomplished, he is still been very present.”