There's something special about watching a young talent blossom into a star, and for Atlanta Braves fans, Drake Baldwin is that rising star. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has been turning heads and showing no signs of slowing down this spring. It’s no wonder national outlets are buzzing about his potential to shine even brighter in 2026.
Eno Sarris from The Athletic has made a bold prediction, suggesting Baldwin could become the best catcher in baseball this season. While Cal Raleigh is a formidable competitor, Sarris' reasoning aligns with what Braves fans have been witnessing-and it’s an invitation for others to join the Baldwin fan club.
In a recent game, Baldwin smashed a double with a blistering 110.6 mph exit velocity. This spring, he's put 15 balls in play, with eight exceeding 100 mph in exit velocity and all but two hitting at least 95 mph. That’s some serious firepower at the plate.
Sarris’ prediction, that Baldwin could surpass Cal Raleigh as the top catcher, is certainly eye-catching. Raleigh was a close runner-up in AL MVP voting last year, boasting an impressive 9.1 fWAR. Yet, Sarris sees Baldwin's potential to rise to the top, thanks to several key factors.
Baldwin’s knack for making hard contact is a standout feature. His 74% hard-hit rate this spring ties for the best in Major League Baseball-a remarkable feat for someone with such low whiff rates.
Add to that his advanced plate discipline, where he rarely chases bad pitches but remains aggressive on those he can drive. It's a lethal combination that has projection systems optimistic, with ZiPS forecasting Baldwin to post the fifth-highest fWAR among catchers and the third-highest wRC+.
The one area where Baldwin needs improvement is his defense. However, there’s been steady progress, and it’s worth noting that even Cal Raleigh started with below-average defensive metrics before becoming a top-notch pitch-framer.
Baldwin's journey is compelling, marked by tangible growth in contact quality, plate discipline, and defense. While there are still areas to improve, his trajectory suggests those gaps could close quickly.
If that happens, Sarris' prediction might not seem so bold by the end of the season. Braves fans could very well be witnessing the rise of baseball's next elite catcher.