Drake Baldwin Caps Off Breakout Rookie Year With College Graduation-And the Braves Might Just Be Getting Started
Drake Baldwin didn’t just make the most of an unexpected opportunity in 2025-he turned it into a statement season. Called into action after Sean Murphy went down with a rib injury, Baldwin stepped behind the plate for the Braves and never looked back. What started as a fill-in role quickly evolved into something much bigger: a breakout campaign that ended with him hoisting the National League Rookie of the Year trophy.
That alone would’ve been enough to make 2025 a year to remember for the 23-year-old catcher. But Baldwin wasn’t done writing headlines. This offseason, he added another milestone to the résumé-he graduated from Missouri State, where he’d once been a standout on the diamond before the Braves drafted him.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate that. In a season where he was grinding through the daily demands of Major League Baseball-game prep, travel, the physical toll of catching-Baldwin also found time to finish his college degree in business.
That’s not just impressive. That’s elite time management, focus, and commitment.
And make no mistake, this isn’t something many players do. The list of guys who get drafted, make it to The Show, and then circle back to complete their degree while actively playing is a short one. Baldwin just joined that club-and did it while producing at a high level in one of the toughest positions in the sport.
From a practical standpoint, it's a smart move. Baseball careers, even the good ones, don’t last forever.
By finishing his degree, Baldwin is investing in his future-whether that’s in business, baseball operations, or something else entirely. And with real money now coming in, having a solid foundation in business and finance could help him make the kind of decisions that set him up for life beyond the game.
But let’s not skip past the baseball side of this. Baldwin wasn’t just serviceable in his rookie season-he was one of the Braves’ most consistent bats.
He handled the pitching staff with poise, held his own defensively, and gave Atlanta a spark when they needed it most. And he did all that while juggling coursework.
Now that the textbooks are closed and the late-night study sessions are over, it’s fair to wonder: just how high is Baldwin’s ceiling? If this is what he looks like with a full plate off the field, what happens when he’s able to focus solely on baseball?
The Braves didn’t make the postseason in 2025, but Baldwin’s emergence was a silver lining-and possibly a sign of things to come. With Murphy returning and Baldwin continuing to develop, Atlanta suddenly has a wealth of talent behind the plate. Whether Baldwin remains the everyday guy, shares time, or shifts into a bigger role in the lineup, the Braves have options-and that’s a good problem to have.
Drake Baldwin’s 2025 was already the kind of season young players dream about. Now, with a diploma in hand and a Rookie of the Year award on the shelf, he’s heading into 2026 with momentum, confidence, and a clear runway to take the next step.
Homework’s done. Time to see what he can really do.