Former MHS Player Drafted by Braves

Ben Waldrip Selected by Atlanta Braves in 42nd Round Wednesday

– Allison Goldsberry

Former Medford High School baseball player Ben Waldrip has been drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Waldrip, a 2008 MHS grad, was selected in the 42nd round on Wednesday.

Waldrip is a former Medford Americans 1B-LHP and North Shore Navigators 1B. He is currently a sophomore math major at Cypress College in Cypress, California.

Prior to Cypress College, Waldrip, 6’6″ and 245 lbs, attended St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. The left-hander led the Hawks with 27 RBI’s and a .394 average in 2009, produced a team-high 14 doubles, and was an all-NE-10 Conference and all-region selection.

At Medford High Waldrip was a four-year starter for the Mustangs and he captained the team his junior and senior years. He was a 3-time Greater Boston League All-Star and had a .428 batting average when the GBL was still a wood bat league.

“Ben Waldrip is the complete package! A great person, great player and most of all an even better team player! Ben’s work ethic was by far among the best, and getting drafted proved it,” said Assistant Medford High Baseball Coach Mike Nestor, who coached Waldrip for four years.

“My most memorable moment about Ben is him pitching in the Holovak and Coughlin Tourney and beating MC. It was one of Ben’s only starts and he made the most of it!” Said Nestor.

Nestor, who has coached his thirteenth and final season with the Mustang baseball team, had nothing but praise for Waldrip.

“Players like Ben Waldrip are the reason why I coached so long,” said Nestor.

“I am very happy for Ben and his family as it is an honor to be selected in the MLB draft. As a result of Ben’s tireless work ethic, Ben is starting to reap the rewards that are associated with exhausting oneself toward achieving his high goals. Ben was the best leader that I have ever had the pleasure to coach. I wish him continued success in the pursuit of the ultimate boyhood dream, to make it to ‘the show,’” said MHS Head Baseball Coach Nick Tucci.

According to Coach Tucci, who spoke to Waldrip Wednesday night, Waldrip is considering pursuing his college education while improving on his draft status, as he got drafted in a late round. Coach Tucci said Waldrip told him he will likely still go to college next year and he is transferring to Jacksonville State University.

Waldrip has an older brother, Matt, and his mother Juanita is an 8th grade science teacher in Malden. Waldrip’s younger brother Andrew, a member of the MHS class of 2010, also played on the baseball and football teams. He is attending Curry College next year and plans on playing football.