An injury to one Major League Baseball player can offer an opportunity for a teammate.
The Atlanta Braves have lost right-handed hitting catcher, Sean Murphy, 30, to a cracked rib.
The Braves catching door opened, and young Drake Baldwin, who turns 24 March 28, has stepped up to claim a role on the major league roster.
Baldwin will make his major league debut with the Braves when their season begins March 27, against the San Diego Padres.
fangrpahs.com lists Baldwin as the starting catcher for opening day.
The left-handed hitting Baldwin is listed by fangraphs.com to hit 7th in the Braves starting lineup.
About Catcher Drake Baldwin:
The Braves selected Baldwin in the 3rd round of the 2022 MLB draft.
Chosen after he played three years for Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, Baldwin received a $633,000 signing bonus from Atlanta. He received $2500 as a contingency bonus when he signed his contract.
At Missouri State, Baldwin hit a combined .318/.426/.549/.975, with 24 doubles, three triples, 24 homers and 105 RBIs in 535 plate appearances.
Baldwin was a dual-sport athlete at Madison West High School, in Madison, Wisconsin.
He played baseball and hockey. In fact, he led the state of Wisconsin in hockey goals in his junior year.
Scouting Drake Baldwin:
Professional analysts and scouts have classified Baldwin as an offense-first catcher.
That analysis makes perfect sense, as Baldwin is an excellent hitter.
One of Baldwin’s most prominent qualities is his ability to make consistent, solid contact.
He knows the strike zone well. He is a patient hitter. He has excellent plate discipline, and he never gets cheated in an at-bat.
Baldwin has the ability to hit for a high batting average, using line-drive darts. He does favor his pull side, hitting the right-center gap with blasts off the barrel.
Baldwin could benefit from a bit more uppercut in his swing, as he hasn’t gotten much loft on the ball early in his career.
However, his bat speed is excellent, and he should see home runs become part of his game as he matures, and gets comfortable with major league pitching.
With a strong, 6-0, 210 pound frame, Baldwin has a rather upright stance at the plate. He doesn’t have much body or bat movement prior to the pitch.
Baldwin is a mature hitter. His swing is measured and compact, as opposed to him being aggressive and trying to hit every pitch out of the park.
Defensively, Baldwin is an average catcher. He calls a good game, but isn’t elite any one aspect of the position. He will offer the Braves a quality effort, but he won’t be remembered as a defensive stalwart. He is an average, Grade 50, every day catcher.
Baldwin is slow afoot, and he should not be counted upon to offer stolen bases, or an extra base when there is risk involved. However, there is little doubt he can hit plenty of doubles with his gap approach.
This old scout had the opportunity to observe and evaluate Baldwin in this past Arizona Fall League, and in the 2024 MLB All Star Futures Game.
Playing for Peoria, Baldwin had an outstanding offensive fall season.
On display were his superb hitting mechanics, including his ability to make solid contact.
In the fall, Baldwin hit .377/452/.491/.942, with a double, a triple, a home run and nine RBIS in 62 plate appearances. Of note is the fact he struck out only nine times, while accepting eight walks.
Baldwin is listed by MLB.com as their No. 1 prospect
Scouting Grade For Drake Baldwin: 55
Baldwin will offer the Braves a superb, disciplined offensive catcher from the left side of the plate.
Baldwin can split the center/right field gap with loud line-drives with a very measured, compact left-handed swing.
Baldwin is an average defensive catcher, with an average throwing arm, and overall major league average defensive abilities.
Baldwin’s Grade 55 is impacted by his defense, but he is clearly a Grade 60 hitter for average.
Braves fans should like what Baldwin brings to their club. However, since he is still young, and has no MLB experience, patience is required.