Waldrip, 26, will embark on his sixth professional season in 2017. The Moro, Ark. native smashed 12 home runs and totaled 42 RBI last season with the Grizzlies.
“We had a lot of fun last year with a great group of guys, but the season didn’t end how we wanted it to,” Waldrip said. “We want to be one of the top teams in the league this year.”
Waldrip spent two seasons in the Colorado Rockies’ system after finishing his college baseball career at Jacksonville State University. The first baseman signed with Gateway prior to last season.
“I know Phil [Warren] has a good group of players coming in,” said Waldrip, who comitted just three errors in 86 games last year. “It’s going to be exciting to get the new and old talent, while seeing what we can do to finish with a different outcome this season,” he said.
Waldrip was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. The Moro, Ark. native spent two years in the Rockies organization, playing at Rookie Ball in 2012 and Low-A Tri-City and Single-A Asheville in 2013. Waldrip hit 10 home runs in 48 games during the 2012 season in the Pioneer League.
Waldrip played his final two years of college at Division I Jacksonville State University. In 103 career games with JSU he batted .337 with 28 home runs and 107 runs batted in. Waldrip belted 18 home runs during his senior season in 2012, which was good for fourth in the nation at Division I. He also drove in 61 runs in 53 games.
