Coming into 2025, the catcher spot looked like one of the Atlanta Braves’ weakest positions. Sean Murphy was coming off a dreadful year at the plate with a .193 average, a .636 OPS, and just 76 OPS+. Travis d’Arnaud was gone. And as for Drake Baldwin? A rookie with upside, sure, but no one knew if his bat would translate under the bright lights.
Fast forward a few months, and the Braves’ backstops are carrying an offense that has sputtered just about everywhere else. Murphy and Baldwin have combined for 29 home runs and 95 RBIs while platooning behind the plate and at designated hitter. In a season filled with disappointment, the catchers have been one of the few reliable sparks.
Baldwin Breaks Out, Murphy Rebounds
Baldwin has made the biggest impact. With a 128 OPS+, the rookie is on track for National League Rookie of the Year. Murphy, meanwhile, isn’t quite back to his 2023 All-Star form, but he’s right back to his career averages. His .756 OPS is a 120-point jump from last season’s struggles.
Together, they’ve forced manager Brian Snitker into a good problem: how do you keep both bats in the lineup? The answer has been a rotation between catcher and DH, maximizing their offensive punch while managing workload.
Without Baldwin’s breakout and Murphy’s rebound, this already disappointing Braves season could have looked downright unwatchable. Atlanta’s offense has been inconsistent, the rotation has been injury-ravaged, and the standings reflect a team that has underperformed expectations. But without the catchers stepping up? Several of the few close wins they did manage might have slipped into the loss column.
That’s how big this tandem has been. They didn’t just add depth — they’ve flat-out kept the Braves afloat in games they had no business winning.
Braves Trade Chip or Tandem?
Baldwin’s rise has made Murphy a legitimate trade chip again, even with his long contract. His bounce-back season has raised his value, and moving him could help shore up other holes on the roster. But there’s also risk in breaking up what has unexpectedly become one of Atlanta’s most productive spots.
The Braves could keep both, alternating catcher/DH duties, and carry a third catcher to balance the roster. Or they could cash in Murphy’s value while Baldwin is clearly ready to hold down the position.
Either way, what was once a glaring weakness has become a fascinating storyline. The Braves may have had a rough year, but in Baldwin and Murphy, they’ve found a foundation worth debating.
