The rise of Drake Baldwin through the Braves farm system has been nothing short of exciting for fans. It looks like his path to the big leagues is just around the corner. Braves Country, get ready. This catching prospect has made quite the impression in Triple-A. Seeing him behind the plate in Atlanta in 2025 seems almost inevitable. It’s not a question of if anymore, but when.
According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien, general manager Alex Anthopoulos sees Drake Baldwin as “a phone call away” from a Major League appearance. And that’s no small statement. The Braves’ No. 5 prospect has clearly proven his worth with his performance in 2024, putting himself in the conversation as the next man up should the Braves need catching support in 2025. But while his talent has the front office talking, the plan is still to keep Baldwin in Triple-A Gwinnett to allow him more time to hone his skills.
Keeping Baldwin in Triple-A is a strategic move that ensures he has the space to polish his craft without the intense spotlight of the Major Leagues just yet. However, with catching being a physically demanding position and its associated injury risks, the likelihood of Baldwin being called up during the 2025 season is very real.
We’ve seen the Braves need to dip into their catching depth before. Last season, Sean Murphy missed time in April due to an oblique injury, while Travis d’Arnaud also took several breaks for various minor issues, including time on the paternity list. The odds of both Murphy and d’Arnaud staying perfectly healthy for all 162 games next season are slim—meaning Baldwin’s time to shine could come sooner rather than later.
Of course, Baldwin’s health is just as important. The Braves need him to stay fit if they want him as a viable backup option when Murphy and d’Arnaud aren’t available. Injuries to Baldwin himself could throw a wrench in his Major League timeline, so staying in top shape is crucial.
And let’s not forget his numbers from the 2024 season, those speak for themselves. Baldwin slashed .298 with an impressive .891 OPS, launched 12 homers, and drove in 55 runs in 72 games with Triple-A Gwinnett.
His on-base percentage of .407 showcases his ability to work counts, and with a 16.2% strikeout rate, he’s showing advanced discipline for his level. Perhaps most telling is the fact that Baldwin nearly walked as much as he struck out—52 walks compared to 54 strikeouts—highlighting his patience and ability to make pitchers work.
This earned him the Braves Minor League Player of the Year title from Baseball America and a spot in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game while he was still playing at Double-A Mississippi. This kind of development trajectory is exactly what the Braves want to see.
While alternatives like Chadwick Tromp remain in the organization as depth options, it’s clear Drake Baldwin has surpassed him on the depth chart. Tromp appeared in 19 games last season, mostly early on, and posted a respectable .250 average with six doubles and six RBIs across 54 plate appearances. However, with Baldwin’s bat and defensive skills looking so sharp, Tromp’s role as the primary backup is likely in jeopardy unless an injury alters the picture.
All in all, Baldwin has done everything needed to put himself in the perfect position for a call-up in 2025. The pieces are set; it’s just a matter of when the Braves will need to make that call.
