Having a catcher who is above average offensively has become a rarity in modern baseball. With emphasis on framing, handling a pitching staff, and controlling a running game – an organization will accept a subpar bat from its backstop if they provide plus traits defensively.
There are just 13 catchers in baseball with at least 190 plate appearances and a wRC+ of at least 100, which is league average or better. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin ranks fifth on that list, posting a 142 wRC+ in his rookie campaign. Just behind Baldwin on that list is teammate Sean Murphy, creating one of the best catching tandems in baseball.
After making the Opening Day roster, Baldwin got off to a slow start. He played every day as Murphy worked his way back from a cracked rib. Baldwin began his big-league career just two-for-22 with a .291 OPS. But as the case was during his time in the minors, Baldwin was hitting the ball well – he just wasn’t getting the results.
The 24-year-old is now slashing .295/.367/.494 nearly 100 games into the season. He has clubbed 10 homeruns while driving in 29. Baldwin has good swing decisions, makes in-zone contact at an above average rate, and doesn’t swing and miss or strikeout frequently. He has a 50 percent hard hit rate and continues to display the ability to hit to all fields.
Baldwin is also consistently approving behind the dish. He is an above average framer, while holding his own as a weapon throwing out base stealers and as a blocker. With the elite production he provides at the plate, Baldwin has the potential to be one of the most well-rounded catchers in the league.
When Murphy returned to action in early April, Baldwin was relegated to backup catcher duties even though his bat began to heat up. He started usually a game a series with pinch-hit opportunities as the veteran Murphy had the leg up in proven production and resume. But fast forward to a few months later and Baldwin has made it impossible for Braves manager Brian Snitker to keep him out of the lineup.
The rookie backstop is now an everyday player – whether behind the plate or in the DH spot. As he gets more at-bats, the heat will continue to pick up as he races toward the National League Rookie of the Year award. With trade speculation swirling around Murphy amid the Braves’ 43-55 record in 2025, Atlanta is in a position of luxury – having two good offensive catchers and can deal the 31-year-old Murphy from a position of strength.
It would set Baldwin up to be the Braves’ catcher of the future, as he’s already blossoming into one of the best backstops in baseball.
