Let’s talk about the big news coming out of the Atlanta Braves camp—because this is not just your average Spring Training update. No, this is one of those moves that makes you sit up a little straighter and pay attention.
The Braves are handing the reins—the catcher’s mitt—to top prospect Drake Baldwin for Chris Sale’s upcoming start today. If you’re wondering what makes this so significant, let’s break it all down.
Braves Surprising Choice Behind the Plate
This isn’t just some routine lineup shuffle. It comes right on the heels of the Braves announcing that their starting catcher, Sean Murphy, is expected to miss four to six weeks with an injury.
Murphy has been Sale’s go-to guy, and the two built undeniable chemistry last season. In fact, with Murphy behind the dish, Sale was practically untouchable—posting a sparkling 1.68 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 13 starts.
So, if you’re thinking, wouldn’t the Braves want to pair Sale with a veteran catcher to keep him locked in?—well, you’re not alone. But instead, they’re giving Baldwin the first crack at it.
And here’s where it gets really interesting: Baldwin isn’t even on the 40-man roster yet. That means that for him to make the Opening Day squad, he has to prove he’s worth the roster shuffle. The good news? So far, he’s making a strong case.
Baldwin’s Bat Has Been Speaking Loudly
Through 15 Spring Training plate appearances, Baldwin is slashing .333/.467/.417 with a double and two RBIs. That’s solid. But the excitement around him isn’t just from this small Spring Training sample. It’s been building for months.
Let’s rewind a bit. Last season, Baldwin turned heads when he represented the Braves in the Futures Game at All-Star Weekend. Then, he got called up to Triple-A and wasted no time making an impact.
In 72 games, he hit .298 with a .891 OPS, 12 home runs, and 55 RBIs. His plate discipline was elite. A .407 OBP, a strikeout rate of just 16.2%, and nearly as many walks (52) as strikeouts (54). That’s the kind of approach that makes scouts drool.
And if that wasn’t enough, he took it up a notch in the Arizona Fall League. Baldwin torched opposing pitchers over 13 games with the Peoria Javelinas, hitting .377/.452/.491 with one homer and nine RBIs. He struck out just nine times in 62 plate appearances.
That’s a 14.5% strikeout rate. That’s discipline and consistency. He is clearly a hitter who knows what he’s doing.
Can Baldwin Seize the Opportunity?
So here we are. Baldwin is getting the chance to catch one of the game’s most dominant pitchers.
If he clicks with Sale and keeps swinging a hot bat, the Braves will have a tough time keeping him off the Opening Day roster.
It’s a big test, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Baldwin, it’s that he tends to rise to the occasion. Let’s see if he does it again today.
