Drake Baldwin has been nothing short of impressive in his 2025 MLB debut season, solidifying his status as a bright young talent for the Atlanta Braves.
After making the Opening Day roster and taking advantage of playing time due to Sean Murphy missing time at the start of the season, Baldwin has showcased a potent left-handed bat and solid defensive skills behind the plate, emerging as a potential cornerstone for the team’s future.
Drake Baldwin: Atlanta’s Burgeoning Star in His Rookie Season
A Strong Start and Continued Production
Baldwin debuted on March 27, 2025, and swiftly demonstrated his capabilities, hitting his first Major League home run on April 16 against the Toronto Blue Jays. His strong offensive start, including a .357 batting average with five homers and 15 RBI through his first 29 games, earned him continued playing time even after Murphy’s return.
Entering Monday, Baldwin’s season statistics stand at a .289 batting average with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs in 86 games. His performance has also been recognized by fans, with MLB on Fox fans voting him the 2025 midseason National League Rookie of the Year earlier in the year.
Offensive Prowess
Baldwin’s success at the plate stems from his ability to make hard contact and hit to all fields, showcasing good plate discipline and a knack for swinging at quality pitches. His average exit velocity of 93.1 MPH and his hard-hit rate of 51.9 percent at Triple-A were particularly noticeable, surpassing the hard-hit rate of any Major League catcher in 2024 with similar playing time constraints. This ability to consistently hit the ball hard has translated well to the Major League level.
His approach with runners on base has been particularly impressive, leading to a high RBI count for a rookie catcher. As Baldwin describes, he focuses on being patient and hitting a good pitch, not necessarily trying to hit a home run every time in those situations, which has served him well. This approach has also led to him being a tough out with two outs in an inning, hitting .311 in those situations this season.
Defensive Development
While Baldwin’s offensive prowess has grabbed headlines, his defense behind the plate has been solid as well. He is known for his reliable framing and blocking abilities.
Learning from veterans like Murphy and Sandy León has been beneficial to his development. He mentioned that both players have shared insights on pitch calling and other aspects of catching, which have been incredibly helpful in his transition to the big leagues.
Rookie of the Year Candidacy and Impact on the Braves
Baldwin’s exceptional rookie season has firmly placed him in the conversation for the NL Rookie of the Year award. He leads all NL rookies in RBIs, showcasing his clutch hitting ability.
His performance has been a pleasant surprise for the Braves, providing a significant boost to their offense and solidifying the catching position. With Murphy and Baldwin sharing catching duties, Atlanta has considerable depth and offensive firepower at the position.
Baldwin’s impact has been crucial in the Braves’ performance this season, especially during stretches where he carried the offense. His ability to hit and perform under pressure shows his potential to be a star in the league for years to come.
Future Outlook
Baldwin’s debut season has exceeded expectations and hinted at a very bright future. His powerful bat and developing defense suggest he has the potential to be a key player for Atlanta moving forward, contributing to their offensive attack and continuing the Braves’ tradition of developing talented catchers. His ability to perform at a high level as a rookie has Braves fans excited about what he can accomplish in the years to come. With Atlanta potentially considering a rebuild, Baldwin could become a leader for the Braves sooner rather than later.
Main Image: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
