Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin stepped up to the plate last year and delivered a standout performance, proving he's more than ready for the big leagues. With an impressive .274/.341/.469 slash line, Baldwin racked up 18 doubles, 19 homers, 80 RBI, and a 125 wRC+. Not bad for a guy who was unexpectedly thrust into the starting role.
Baldwin's ability to crush the ball was evident in his analytical stats, boasting a hard hit percentage of 49.6 and a bat speed of 75.3 mph. His whiff percentage was a low 19.5, while his barrel percentage hit 11.0, and he kept his strikeouts down to 15.2%. Behind the plate, he showed solid skills with a 7 in blocks above average, though there's room to grow in his pop time, framing, and throwing out runners.
Fans are buzzing with excitement for Baldwin's sophomore season, especially after his Rookie of the Year campaign. He’s already making noise this spring, picking up right where he left off.
In his first spring game against the Twins, Baldwin batted second-a spot manager Walt Weiss might keep him in. He made a statement in the third inning by launching a hanging curveball over right-center for a solo homer, giving Atlanta the lead. The sound off the bat was a clear reminder of his power.
Baldwin finished the day 2-for-2 with that home run before Sandy Leon, expected to be the backup catcher, took over in the fifth inning. If Baldwin keeps this up, adding even more power to his swing, pitchers around the league better watch out. His plate coverage makes him a tough out every time.
Looking ahead, Baseball Reference projects Baldwin to hit .272/.340/.463 in 2026, with 18 doubles, 17 homers, 68 RBI, and an .804 OPS. While those numbers mirror last season, there's a real chance Baldwin could exceed expectations with another year of experience. Braves fans are in for a treat watching him this season-don't miss the action!