After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2025, Drake Baldwin took home his first All-Star appearance in 2026 at just 25 years old. He’s the first Black catcher to win Rookie of the Year since Earl Williams won the award in 1971 for the Braves. Baldwin has been one of the most crucial players on an Atlanta Braves team that currently leads NL East with 58 wins and 41 losses. He’s stepped in place of the injured Sean Murphy.
Baldwin’s OBP% has shot up from last year, and he is on pace to have more home runs, runs, and walks than the previous year. His OPS+ sits 122 with an OPS over 800. Drake Baldwin is the first Black catcher to have an OPS+ of 120 or more since Russell Martin in 2014.
Drake Baldwin Is Trusted By Manager Walt Weiss: Even Hit Leadoff
It’s not easy to be this good of a hitter at the catcher position. In fact, Braves’ manager Walt Weiss trusts Baldwin so much that he’s batted him leadoff at times. Baldwin is on a four-game hit streak and has recorded two or more hits in his last two games.
Baldwin has a strong chance of winning his first Silver Slugger. Baldwin, along with his teammate, and fellow lefty hitter Michael Harris II look like they will continue to be important pieces for the Braves’ long-term future at two premium positions; catcher and center field.
With the Braves on track to make it to the postseason, Baldwin will get his first experience in that kind of atmosphere. It’s going to be exciting to see just how impactful he can be when the lights are shining brightest. While his bat has been masterful, Baldwin has struggled at times defensively, but this is normal. It often takes young catchers several seasons to learn how to call a good game and keep runners honest on the base path. He has plenty of time to grow, and he’s definitely heading in the right direction.
