Drake Baldwin -- Performance Analysis

Drake Baldwin emerged as the Atlanta Braves' primary catcher in 2025 after an unexpected opportunity created by Sean Murphy's Spring Training ribcage fracture. Originally the Braves intended to have Murphy handle most catching duties with Baldwin waiting in Triple-A, but the injury forced Baldwin into immediate action. Pre-season ZiPS projections estimated Baldwin would produce around 1.8 WAR in 461 plate appearances—respectable for a rookie but not expected to be a standout starter.

Baldwin's actual 2025 performance far exceeded expectations. He accumulated 3.1 fWAR across 446 plate appearances with a 125 wRC+, translating to over 4.1 fWAR per 600 plate appearances. His season was marked by a slow start—posting just a 26 wRC+ in his first 29 MLB plate appearances—followed by a dramatic turnaround. In his next 29 plate appearances, Baldwin posted a 185 wRC+, and sustained excellence through May with a 180 wRC+ over 56 plate appearances.

Baldwin's rookie campaign represented one of the few offensive bright spots for the Braves during a season marked by broader struggles. His success earned him the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year award. Baldwin, a Missouri State product and the Braves' third-round pick (96th overall) in the 2022 Draft, had demonstrated strong minor league performance, including a 138 wRC+ at Triple-A in 2024 before his rapid ascent through the organization.

Drake Baldwin, the Atlanta Braves' second-year catcher, has emerged as one of baseball's hottest hitters through the first month of the 2026 season. Through 64 plate appearances, Baldwin is batting .328 with a .391 on-base percentage and .621 slugging percentage, accumulating 5 home runs and 17 RBIs while maintaining an outstanding .931 OPS. Most impressively, Baldwin leads all of Major League Baseball with 16 RBIs, currently tied with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages for the league lead. Baldwin's production extends a remarkable five-game RBI streak, demonstrated by his 2-for-5 performance on April 11 against the Cleveland Guardians, which included a double and two runs scored. The Braves, despite a moderate 10-6 record through mid-April, are benefiting significantly from Baldwin's offensive explosion during this early-season hot streak.