Let’s talk about what went down in the Atlanta Braves’ 7-2 win over the Miami Marlins in Friday’s Grapefruit League action.
If you’re a Braves fan, this game makes you feel pretty good about the depth of the pitching staff heading into the season.
If you’re a Marlins fan, you probably weren’t having a great time watching your team get no-hit until the seventh inning.
Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes Make Their Case
The biggest story of the night? The Braves’ pitching, without a doubt. Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes combined for six hitless innings. That’s exactly what you want to see from two guys fighting for a rotation spot.
Anderson, in particular, looked like the guy Braves fans remember from 2021. His fastball had some life to it, averaging 93.6 mph and even touching 94.9. That’s the kind of velocity that gets people talking. Holmes, meanwhile, struck out three in his three innings of work, keeping things rolling.
Both right-handers are in the mix for a starting rotation job, especially with ace Spencer Strider rehabbing his elbow. The projected rotation includes Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach, with two spots still up for grabs.
Anderson and Holmes are battling it out with A.J. Smith-Shawver to see who gets those final slots. Friday night certainly helped their case.
Drake Baldwin Keeps Raking
Now, let’s talk about a name that Braves fans are going to want to remember: Drake Baldwin. The 23-year-old catching prospect had himself a night, going 3-for-3 with two RBI singles and a walk.
Here’s the kicker—every one of those hits went to the left of second base. That alone tells you just how polished he is at using the whole field.
Baldwin has been tearing it up in the minors, reaching Triple-A in 2024 and putting up an impressive .298/.407/.484 slash line with Gwinnett. The bat is there. The question is, where does he fit on this roster?
Sean Murphy is locked in as the Braves’ starting catcher (and under contract for five more years), so Baldwin’s path to playing time isn’t exactly clear. He could break camp as a backup, but that would mean fewer at-bats, which isn’t ideal for his development.
That said, Baldwin could slide into a designated hitter role if someone like Marcell Ozuna were to hit the IL at some point this season. He’s certainly got the bat for it.
Sean Murphy’s Slow Start
Speaking of Murphy, he was the only regular in the Braves’ lineup on Friday, and it wasn’t pretty.
He struck out twice, including once with the bases loaded, and his only times on base came via a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Murphy is now 0-for-6 with three strikeouts this spring, which wouldn’t be a huge deal if not for how last season went.
After signing that six-year, $73 million extension, he suffered an oblique injury on Opening Day and never really looked the same afterward. The result? A disappointing .193/.284/.352 slash line with just 10 homers in 72 games.
The Braves are hoping for a bounce-back year from Murphy, but so far this spring, the struggles have continued. It’s early, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
The Takeaway On the Braves
It’s spring training, so let’s not get too carried away—but Friday’s game gave Braves fans plenty to be excited about.
The pitching was dominant, the young talent showed up, and if Anderson and Holmes can keep this up, Atlanta will have some tough decisions to make regarding their rotation.
For now, we wait and see. But if you’re a Braves fan, you’ve got to like what you saw.
