When it comes to identifying elite-level catchers, the Atlanta Braves have quietly built one of the most impressive pipelines in baseball. While some teams spend years cycling through backstops in search of a steady presence behind the plate, the Braves keep churning out talent-and MLB Network’s latest Top 10 Catchers Right Now list is a testament to that.
Four of the ten catchers featured on the list have worn a Braves uniform at some point in their careers. That’s not just a fun fact-it’s a clear indicator that Atlanta has developed a knack for scouting and developing talent at one of the game’s most demanding positions.
Let’s start with the headliner: Drake Baldwin. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year checks in at No. 4 on the list, an eye-popping debut for a player with just one full big-league season under his belt.
Baldwin’s rise hasn’t just been about the numbers, though those certainly help. He’s shown a mature approach at the plate, strong defensive instincts, and the kind of poise that makes you forget he’s still just getting started.
If he builds on his breakout 2025, there’s a real chance we’re talking about him in the same breath as the top two names on this list a year from now.
Speaking of those top names, Cal Raleigh of the Mariners takes the No. 1 spot after a monster 2025 campaign, and right behind him is William Contreras, another former Brave who’s blossomed into a star with the Brewers. Contreras posted back-to-back strong seasons in Milwaukee, proving that his offensive upside wasn’t just a flash during his Atlanta days. His bat, pitch-framing, and game-calling have all taken steps forward-making him one of the most well-rounded catchers in the league.
Further down the rankings, the Braves are still represented. Sean Murphy lands at No. 8, holding his ground despite a down year at the plate.
A .199/.300/.409 slash line won’t turn heads, but Murphy’s value goes well beyond the batter’s box. He’s still one of the most trusted defensive catchers in the game, and in a league thin on elite backstops, that glove-first profile keeps him firmly in the top 10 conversation.
It’s a reminder that catcher is a position where defense, game management, and pitcher rapport still carry serious weight.
Rounding out the list is Shea Langeliers, now with the Athletics, who finally put it all together in 2025. A career-high 132 wRC+ and 3.9 fWAR later, Langeliers has arrived-and the A’s are reaping the rewards of the Matt Olson trade that sent him west. The Braves knew what they had in him, and while he didn’t get his shot in Atlanta, his development into a top-10 catcher adds yet another feather in the cap of the Braves’ scouting department.
So let’s break it down: four of the league’s top ten catchers have come through Atlanta’s system, and three of them-Baldwin, Contreras, and Langeliers-are still in their age-28 or younger seasons. That’s not just a hot streak. That’s organizational strength.
Yes, the Braves have taken some heat in recent years for their struggles developing position players outside of this role. But when it comes to catchers, they’re playing a different game. Whether it’s through the draft, international scouting, or savvy trades, Atlanta keeps finding guys who can handle the grind of catching at the highest level-and do it with impact.
Drake Baldwin might be the present and future of the position in Atlanta, but he’s also the latest in a growing line of Braves catchers making noise across the league. And if history is any indicator, he won’t be the last.