Braves Invite Former Closer Ken Giles and Top Prospect Hurston Waldrep to Spring Training
The Atlanta Braves have extended invitations to 23 non-roster players, including former Astros closer Ken Giles and 2023 first-round pick Hurston Waldrep, as they prepare for the upcoming season.
- Ken Giles, a former standout closer with the Houston Astros, signs a minor-league deal with the Braves in a bid to revive his career after battling injuries.
- Hurston Waldrep, the Braves' first-round pick in the 2023 draft, impresses with a rapid rise through the minor leagues, posting a 1.53 ERA across four levels.
- The Braves' spring training camp in North Port, Florida, will feature a total of 60 players, including 37 members of the 40-man roster.
- Among the non-roster invitees are 16 players with previous major-league experience, highlighting the Braves' mix of seasoned veterans and promising prospects.
- The Braves' deep bullpen, led by closer Raisel Iglesias, could see competition from Giles, while Waldrep may contend for a spot in the rotation in the near future.
Associated Press 