Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin has officially made the team's Opening Day roster, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. This was the full expectation once it was announced that primary backstop Sean Murphy (rib) was expected to miss at least the first couple weeks of the regular season due to injury. The 23-year-old Baldwin has the tools to be a starting fantasy catcher and he could end up sticking around at the major-league level all year, even when Murphy is ready to make his 2025 debut. He has held his own in spring training as well, hitting .303 (10-for-33) with two doubles, three RBI and four runs scored in 15 Grapefruit League games. The Braves' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, also hit 18 homers in the minors in 2024. In two-catcher leagues, take a chance on Baldwin.
Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin (illness) is feeling better on Friday after suffering an allergic reaction earlier in the week. The backstop was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to the reaction. Baldwin is projected to be the team's Opening Day starter with Sean Murphy (ribs) sidelined. Through 10 games in camp, Baldwin and held a .368/.520/.474 slash line with two doubles and a 6:1 BB:K. Last season, the 23-year-old opened the campaign at the Double-A level and held a .244/.313/.337 line with six doubles and four home runs. However, over his final 72 contests at the Triple-A level, the former third-round selection held a strong .298/.407/.484 line with 13 doubles and 12 home runs. If he continues to perform well in camp, he is worth a look in the final rounds of drafts as he has a clear path to playing time in one of the top lineups in the sport.
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that catching prospect Drake Baldwin (illness) was scratched from the Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles as a precaution due to an allergic reaction. Veteran Sandy Leon took over the catching duties for Atlanta. Baldwin, who is ranked as the team's top prospect by MLB Pipeline, should be find in a day or two. With starter Sean Murphy (ribs) set to open the year on the injured list, the 23-year-old Baldwin is fully expected to open the 2025 season as Atlanta's primary catcher. If he handles himself well, Baldwin should remain with the Braves the rest of the year as the No. 2 behind Murphy. MLB Pipeline has Baldwin ranked as the No. 7 catching prospect in all of baseball. The former third-rounder hit .298 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 72 games at Triple-A in 2024 and has intriguing upside as a No. 1 fantasy catcher down the road.
Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin is expected to be the team's Opening Day starter. Earlier in camp, starting catcher Sean Murphy (rib) suffered a fractured rib and is expected to miss at least 4-to-6 weeks of action. Baldwin is considered one of the top prospects in the Atlanta system. Last season, Baldwin saw his first extended look at Double-A and held a .244/.313/.337 slash line with six doubles and four home runs across 52 contests. He then earned his first look at Triple-A where he posted a strong .297/.407/.484 slash line with 13 doubles and 12 home runs across 72 games. He held a 52:54 BB:K ratio and tallied 55 RBI. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training, but it appears the Braves are expected to give their young backstop the starting job. Chadwick Tromp, Curt Casali and Sandy Leon will compete for the No. 2 job.
Drake Baldwin Could Open Season As Braves Starting Catcher
Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin will have a chance to open the 2025 regular season as the team's starting backstop now that Sean Murphy (rib) will have to miss the next four to six weeks due to a cracked left rib that he suffered when he was hit by a pitch in a Grapefruit League game last Friday. Murphy will begin the season on the injured list. The Braves also have Chadwick Tromp, Sandy Leon and Curt Casali as options at catcher, but Baldwin, although he's yet to play in the majors, gives Atlanta much more upside across the board. The 23-year-old is the Braves' top prospect after he hit .276/.370/.423 with 18 home runs for Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last year. If the Braves actually open up a 40-man roster spot for Baldwin to begin the year, he'll be worth rostering in two-catcher and NL-only leagues for however long he's up.
Braves Invite Drake Baldwin To MLB Spring Training
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that catching prospect Drake Baldwin will be a non-roster invite to major-league spring training this year. Baldwin is considered Atlanta's top prospect, and MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the No. 63 overall prospect in baseball entering the 2025 season. The former third-round pick in 2022 out of Missouri State University hit a combined .276/.370/.423 with 16 home runs, 88 RBI and 58 runs scored in 124 games with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2024. He will almost certainly begin this year at Gwinnett, but he figures to eventually operate as Sean Murphy's backup in the big leagues eventually with Travis d'Arnaud no longer in town. Baldwin hits from the left side and stands at 5-foot-10, 210 pounds. With an excellent approach at the plate and few strikeouts, Baldwin has the upside of a starting catcher for Atlanta down the road.
Drake Baldwin Performing Well In Arizona Fall League
Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin has carried an impressive .377/.452/.491 line through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. The backstop has tallied one double, one home run, nine RBI, and held a strong 8:9 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the No.5 prospect in the Atlanta system held his own through his first look at Triple-A. Through 72 games with the Gwinnett Stripers, the former third-round pick posted a solid 298/.407/.484 slash line with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and a 52:54 BB:K ratio. It is a promising sign to see the backstop continue to show a great eye at the plate in the AFL. With Travis d'Arnaud no longer under contract in Atlanta, Baldwin could have a viable path on making the major league roster directly out of Spring Training if he continues to develop well.
The Atlanta Braves could turn to catching prospect Drake Baldwin, who is considered the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, next season if there's a catching injury to either Sean Murphy or Travis d'Arnaud. Baldwin, 23, was impressive in the minors in 2024 and has continued that in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .310 with three extra-base hits and an .892 OPS in seven contests. While his defense isn't weak, his bat is certainly ahead of his glove. Baldwin had just four homers and a .650 OPS in 52 games at Double-A early on this year, but he hit .298 with 12 long balls and an .891 OPS in 72 games after being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett. "The way he's played, he's definitely a phone call away at this point," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. Baldwin will begin 2025 back at Triple-A while sharing time with Chadwick Tromp.
Atlanta Braves catcher prospect Drake Baldwin hit a grand slam for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. The Braves' No. 5 prospect is hitting .312/.427/.497 at Triple-A this season with nine homers and 44 RBI in 49 games. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter is showing out at Triple-A and could be the catcher of the future for the Braves. He will likely finish out the season at Triple-A and make a push to make the big-league club in 2025. He is a plus-hitter with 50-grade power which makes him a very intriguing fantasy prospect at the catcher position.
Atlanta Braves catcher prospect Drake Baldwin went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in this year's All-Star Futures Game. Hit around 107 mph, it was one of the hardest-hit balls of the night. Baldwin's performance in Arlington is a solid reflection of how he's been playing since his promotion to Triple-A. In 24 games with the Gwinnett Stripers, he's slashing .309/.444/.532 with three doubles, six homers, and 17 RBI. Atlanta's No. 10 prospect (per MLB.com), Baldwin is expected to make his MLB debut sometime next year.
Drake Baldwin
• C
•
Braves
