With Sean Murphy sidelined for several more weeks, the Atlanta Braves had little choice but to promote top prospect Drake Baldwin as their Opening Day catcher. Murphy, who suffered a cracked rib early in spring training, is still recovering, making Baldwin’s debut inevitable. While he was expected to reach the majors at some point this season, it is rare for a rookie to make their debut on Opening Day.
The Braves will start their season the same way last year ended—facing the San Diego Padres. Their first four games will take place at Petco Park, where they were eliminated by San Diego in the NL Wild Card Series last fall. Baldwin’s first assignment will be catching for Chris Sale, last year’s NL Triple Crown winner, who was unavailable for the Braves’ short postseason run due to back spasms.
Sale has no doubts about Baldwin’s readiness for this moment, praising his attitude and work ethic.
“There’s no question he’s ready for it. We’re in a good position no matter who is out there. But just his attitude, his character, and his demeanor—he’s as prepared for this as anybody.”
Spencer Strider, one of Atlanta’s most dominant pitchers, also spoke highly of Baldwin’s abilities behind the plate.
“He’s a phenomenal catcher. I love throwing to him. He has a very good personality. He’s friends with everybody. He’s very, very communicative and social. He’s a phenomenal player with a great swing. But he just has the presence of a guy that has experience.”
With endorsements from both Sale and Strider, Baldwin has a strong chance of maintaining a spot at the major league level.
At this point, as long as Baldwin handles the pitching staff well and manages games effectively, any offensive struggles can be overlooked. Last season, the Braves’ success was largely driven by their pitching, as their offense fell flat when it mattered most. However, if Baldwin can also contribute at the plate, it could put even more pressure on Murphy to return to his 2023 form after a disappointing 2024 season.
The Braves are at a pivotal point in their championship window—it’s World Series or bust. Their top divisional rivals, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, share similar ambitions, making the NL East highly competitive. While all three teams are likely postseason contenders, only one can claim the division crown. Last year, Philadelphia ended Atlanta’s six-year reign, but it remains uncertain whether they can repeat that feat.
Whether Baldwin can be the missing piece to keep the Braves ahead of their rivals remains to be seen. Though Atlanta’s farm system doesn’t always rank among the best, the organization consistently develops players who make an immediate impact—just like Strider and Michael Harris II did. Fortunately for Baldwin, he is stepping into a talented team that can support his growth and help him succeed at the big-league level.
Leave a Reply