Here is a name that’s been buzzing around the Atlanta Braves camp louder than a fastball popping into a catcher’s mitt—Drake Baldwin.
Just a few weeks ago, plenty of folks saw him as little more than a trade chip, a promising but expendable piece that could help Atlanta land a more established big-league star.
Well, that narrative is getting flipped on its head in real time because Baldwin isn’t just making an impression at Spring Training—he’s turning heads left and right.
Baldwin Is Making Waves at Braves Camp
Over the weekend, the hype train officially left the station, and it’s picking up steam fast. Reports out of Braves camp suggest that Baldwin is looking every bit like the organization’s top prospect.
And when manager Brian Snitker, someone who’s seen his fair share of young talent over the years, starts singing a guy’s praises this early, you pay attention.
“He just keeps getting better,” Snitker told The Athletic’s David O’Brien. That’s what you want to hear about a young catcher still developing at the minor-league level.
Snitker highlighted Baldwin’s strong work ethic, his improving defensive skills, and the fact that he swings from the left side with legitimate power.
That’s not a profile you come across every day, and it’s exactly why the Braves aren’t in any rush to send him packing.
Teammates and Coaches Are Buying In
And it’s not just Snitker taking notice. Fellow pitchers Ian Anderson and AJ Smith-Shawver both had glowing reviews of Baldwin, with Anderson calling him “awesome” and Smith-Shawver labeling him “an impressive hitter to watch.”
Even veteran catcher Sandy León has been raving about the kid. That kind of respect from within the clubhouse speaks volumes. The buzz isn’t just coming from inside the organization, either.
Scouts and national analysts are beginning to take notice of Baldwin’s rapid rise, and his name keeps popping up as a player to watch in 2024.
That’s no small feat, considering the amount of talent in Atlanta’s system.
The Braves May Have Their Catcher of the Future
Now, let’s talk big picture. The Braves already have Sean Murphy locked up through 2028, and he’s expected to bounce back after a 2024 season that didn’t quite live up to expectations.
Naturally, that led to some speculation this offseason that Baldwin, as Atlanta’s top prospect, could be a prime trade candidate.
But here’s the thing—the Braves aren’t treating him like a trade chip. They’re treating him like the future.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel went so far as to predict that Baldwin will be a regular presence in Atlanta’s lineup by the All-Star break.
At this rate, that might end up being a conservative estimate. We’re not even a full week into Spring Training, and Baldwin is already making himself the story.
If he keeps this up, Braves Country might be looking at their next homegrown star sooner rather than later.
