The Braves are making moves, and it’s not just noise—it’s real roster action as Atlanta locks in three new names for their big league squad.
Top prospect Drake Baldwin is headlining the trio. And he’s not walking into this role by accident. He’s stepping into it with momentum and a whole lot of trust from the front office.
Relievers Héctor Neris and Enyel de los Santos have also earned their spot with the Atlanta Braves alongside Badlwin. If spring performance is any indication, they’re bringing solid value.
Baldwin’s Rise Gains Steam
The second Sean Murphy went down with a cracked rib earlier this month; the Baldwin watch was officially on. Now, we’re one step closer to seeing him behind the plate on Opening Day. He hasn’t been named the starter yet, but his inclusion on the Major League roster makes it almost a formality at this point.
The bat? It’s been more than serviceable this spring. Baldwin has slashed .318/.436/.375, with three RBIs and a couple of extra-base hits to his name. No home runs just yet, but don’t let that fool you—he’s a tough out and sees the strike zone well.
He’s also been putting in the work defensively, getting reps with nearly every projected starter, including Spencer Strider. For a guy with fewer than 75 Triple-A games under his belt, that’s no small thing.
And speaking of those Triple-A numbers—they’re strong. Last year he hit .298 with a .407 OBP, 12 homers, and an .891 OPS. Combine that with nearly identical walk and strikeout numbers (52 walks, 54 Ks), and you’ve got the profile of a mature hitter ready to make the leap.
He’s the Braves’ top prospect for a reason—and he’s also No. 62 on MLB.com’s Top 100 list heading into 2025.
Neris and de los Santos Look to Bounce Back
Then there’s the bullpen reinforcement. Since arriving, Héctor Neris joined the Braves as a non-roster invitee and has done nothing but throw up zeroes. Two innings, no runs, just two baserunners.
It’s early, sure, but that’s the kind of no-drama pitching the Braves will gladly welcome after his up-and-down 2024, where he split time between the Cubs and Astros and finished with a 4.10 ERA over 61 games.
Enyel de los Santos also came to camp without a guaranteed spot, but he’s been making life miserable for hitters. Outside of one rough inning, he’s been lights out.
Opponents are hitting just .095 against him, and he’s carrying a near-surgical 0.45 WHIP. It’s a tiny sample size, but it’s the kind of dominance that turns heads.
Braves Countdown to Opening Day
Baldwin’s call-up is just the headline on what looks like a strategic final tune-up for Atlanta. The catching situation now has a rising star ready to step in, and the bullpen gets a couple of intriguing arms who have shown flashes of excellence this spring.
As the Braves round the corner toward Opening Day, this trio is making it clear: they’re not just here to fill gaps. They’re here to make an impact. And that countdown? It just got a little more exciting.
