It’s safe to say that 2024 hasn’t been the kind of season Sean Murphy or the Atlanta Braves expected. After suffering an oblique injury on Opening Day, Murphy was sidelined until the end of May. The timing of his return coincided with another major setback for the Braves—Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury, adding to the team’s woes.
Since then, Murphy has struggled to return to the form he displayed in 2023. Sure, his defensive work has remained top-notch—he’s always been reliable behind the plate—but his offensive production has fallen far short of expectations. The challenges faced by Murphy seem to echo the broader struggles of the Braves roster in 2024.
Injuries can definitely affect a player’s rhythm, and that seems to be the case for Murphy. Yet, despite his time on the IL, he hasn’t been able to regain his offensive prowess. Murphy’s batting average on the season is just .202, with only nine home runs and 23 RBIs over 67 games. A deeper dive into his numbers shows he batted .211 in the first half of the season and an even more concerning .193 in the second half. And September? That’s been particularly brutal for Murphy, as he’s hitting a dismal .097 in nine games during the month.
This dip in production has opened the door for more playing time for fellow catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who has been more consistent offensively throughout the season—although, since August, even his stats have started to decline. But there’s more to consider here. The Braves have a rising star in the minors that could shake things up next season: Drake Baldwin.
Baldwin, currently the Braves’ fifth-ranked prospect, has been turning heads with his performance this year. He’s shown steady improvement after a modest start in Double-A Mississippi, where he batted .244 with four homers and 33 RBIs. Once he moved up to Triple-A Gwinnett, though, his numbers exploded. Through 68 games in Triple-A, Baldwin has slashed .295/.406/.484 with an OPS of .809. His 76 hits include 11 doubles, 12 homers, and 54 RBIs, and his walk-to-strikeout ratio of 50 apiece showcases his excellent plate discipline.
The Braves might face a decision in the offseason. Murphy, despite his struggles, is under contract through 2028, with a salary set to jump to $15 million next year. Cutting ties with him isn’t likely—it wouldn’t make financial or strategic sense. However, Baldwin’s offensive breakout could force Atlanta to consider a platoon situation, especially if Murphy can’t find his swing.
A big factor in this decision will be what the Braves choose to do with d’Arnaud’s club option for 2025. If they decline the option, Baldwin could get the chance to serve as Murphy’s backup, providing Atlanta with an offensive spark if Murphy continues to struggle. If d’Arnaud returns, the situation becomes a bit murkier, as a three-catcher rotation isn’t a common approach for most teams.
All in all, giving Baldwin a shot in 2025 could benefit the Braves. If Murphy can regain his form, Baldwin can learn and contribute as a backup. But if Murphy’s offensive woes continue, Baldwin’s bat could be just the kind of boost Atlanta’s lineup needs.
