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Drake Baldwin Has a Case to be the Top Catcher on Draft Boards
Across 615 plate appearances in 2026, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hit .284/.358/.459 with 25 home runs, 79 RBI, 85 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 25-year-old got off to a scorching-hot start to the season before suffering an oblique strain in mid-May that sidelined him for about a month. Baldwin struggled upon his return, hitting just .063 across 50 plate appearances in June after being reinserted into the Braves lineup. However, the young backstop bounced back and closed the season strong, hitting .315 with 10 home runs across 296 plate appearances after the All-Star break. Baldwin's underlying metrics supported his production at the plate, as he posted an excellent 50.9% hard-hit rate and kept his strikeout rate to a manageable 21.5%. Atlanta also frequently used him at designated hitter, both keeping his legs fresh and keeping him in the lineup on an everyday basis. Heading into 2027, Baldwin is in the conversation as the top catcher in fantasy baseball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Baldwin a High-End Catcher Option Amid Second-Half Surge
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has emerged as one of the best-hitting backstops in baseball this season, slashing .276/.353/.452 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, 77 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 544 plate appearances. After a red-hot start to the season, Baldwin missed about a month after suffering an oblique strain in May and then battled through an extended slump upon his return, recording just three hits across 50 plate appearances in June. However, the 25-year-old has gotten back to his normal self since then, hitting .306 across 225 plate appearances since the All-Star break. The Braves also frequently deploy Baldwin as their designated hitter on days when he's not behind the plate, which helps keep his legs fresh and keeps him in the lineup on an everyday basis. Entering the final few weeks of the year, Baldwin remains an elite catcher option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Baldwin Stays Hot in July With Two Homers, Five Hits on Sunday
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is one of the hottest hitters in baseball in the month of July, and that continued on Sunday in the team's 8-5 win over the visiting Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Baldwin went 5-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI as the leadoff hitter to boost his season average to .276 and his OPS to .843. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop is now hitting .368 (21-for-57) with a 1.050 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 15 games in July to raise his season slash line to .276/.362/.481. Baldwin has also homered three times in his last three games. It has been nice to see for the Braves and fantasy managers alike after Baldwin struggled to a .063/.100/.125 slash line, one homer, an RBI, three runs scored, one walk, and 22 strikeouts in 12 games in June after returning from a stint on the injured list. His two-homer game on Sunday against Texas was the second multi-homer game of his career, and it was also the first time in his career with at least four hits. It's safe to say Baldwin is now back in the flow offensively, and he could be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues in the second half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drake Baldwin Gets his Second Half Started With Five-RBI Night
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin led the charge in Friday night's 15-1 blowout win over the visiting Texas Rangers at Truist Park to get the second half of the season started, going 3-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot with a home run, five RBI, two runs scored, and a walk to raise his season batting average to .261 and his OPS to .804. Baldwin's home run was a three-run shot off right-hander Cal Quantrill in the fourth inning, and it was his 16th long ball of the year after he slugged 19 in an impressive rookie campaign in 2025. It was nice to see the second-year backstop go deep to begin the second half, as it was just his second round-tripper since June 17. Baldwin missed some time in the first half with an injury, but he has still produced an OPS over .800 with 51 RBI and a stolen base in 324 plate appearances. In 12 games in July before this week's All-Star break, Baldwin hit. 256 (11-for-43) with a homer, seven RBI, and seven runs scored. A second-half breakout could be coming for the former third-rounder from Mississippi State University.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drake Baldwin Is Built for a Second-Half Rebound
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin still carried a .254/.345/.437 line with 15 homers and 46 RBI into the break, even after an oblique injury scrambled his summer. He was activated June 15, then went 3-for-48 with 22 strikeouts during the rest of the month. July looked more normal: 11 hits and a .396 on-base percentage in 53 plate appearances. The bat is still loud. Baldwin owns a 51.2% hard-hit rate, a 15.3% barrel rate, and a .512 expected slugging percentage, well above the actual mark. Atlanta has also kept him busy, starting him 44 times behind the plate and 27 more at designated hitter. The swing decisions have slipped, with his chase rate up to 34% and his strikeout rate at 22.3%. That is the blemish. It is not enough to fade a catcher with this much impact and this secure a role. Baldwin remains a strong second-half rebound target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braves Acquire Joey Bart From Pirates
The Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart (foot) from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night in exchange for right-hander Hunter Stratton, according to the team. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated catcher Sandy Leon for assignment. Bart has been on the injured list for over a month with a foot infection, but he is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment and looks ready to make his debut with Atlanta sooner rather than later. Drake Baldwin is the unquestioned starter for the Braves behind the dish, but Bart figures to serve as the team's backup with Sean Murphy (finger) still recovering from a broken finger that is expected to keep him out into the second half of the 2026 season. The move doesn't really make the 29-year-old Bart anymore attractive in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Bart hit a career-high 13 home runs and drove in 45 runs in 80 games in his first year with the Pirates in 2024 after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants, but he had just four homers and 30 RBI in 93 games last year. Before going on the IL with his foot injury this year, he was hitting .259/.290/.379 with two homers, six RBI, two walks, and 21 K's in 21 games played.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Drake Baldwin Reinstated From the Injured List on Monday
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they have reinstated catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and outrighted catcher Austin Wynns to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. The Braves have a scheduled day off on Monday, so Baldwin will return for his first game in Tuesday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants at Truist Park. The second-year backstop will be returning to Atlanta after missing a month with an oblique strain. The 25-year-old former third-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of Missouri State University has quickly become one of the best offensive-minded catchers in fantasy baseball after he was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025. Baldwin hit .274/.341/.469 with an .810 OPS, 19 homers, and 80 RBI in 124 games last year, and he'll return to a .303/.389/.543 slash line with 13 homers and 38 RBI in 48 games in his second season in the Show. Get ready to plug him back into all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues this week.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Drake Baldwin Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. Baldwin has been on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain since May 19, but he appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. The 25-year-old got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. Baldwin's underlying metrics support his emergence, as he logged elite barrel (18.6%) and hard-hit (53.8%) rates. Atlanta also showed a willingness to use Baldwin as its designated hitter on days when he needed a break from being behind the plate, which keeps his bat in the lineup every day and allows him to maximize plate appearances for fantasy managers. Upon his return, Baldwin profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher across all league formats.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Drake Baldwin to Start a Rehab Assignment This Weekend
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) will face live pitching on Thursday and Friday before starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend, according to Zach Sweet of MLB.com. "Thursday and Friday will be big days for him," Weiss said. If everything goes well during the 25-year-old backstop's rehab assignment this weekend, Weiss said that Baldwin could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the team's homestand from June 16-21. The left-handed-hitting catcher is recovering from a Grade 1 strained right oblique that has kept him out for the last two weeks, but he's inching closer to a potential return next week. With Baldwin sidelined, the Braves have been using a combination of veteran Sandy Leon and Austin Wynns behind the plate. Baldwin was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 and is already one of the best fantasy options at the position. He's hit .303 (57-for-188) so far in 2026 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base, and he shouldn't be floating around on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Zach Sweet
Source: MLB.com - Zach Sweet
Drake Baldwin Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) could return during the team's next homestand, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The homestand referenced by Weiss runs from June 16 to June 21. Baldwin has been on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 1 oblique strain, but it appears as though he's progressing and should return about four weeks after suffering the injury. Before getting hurt, Baldwin was hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. The 25-year-old's underlying metrics supported his hot start, as he posted an 18.6% barrel rate and a 53.8% hard-hit rate. Baldwin has a case as the best offensive catcher in baseball and profiles as a must-start player at the position upon his return to the Braves lineup.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Too Early to Put a Timetable on Drake Baldwin's Return
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) is only dealing with a Grade 1 strain of his right oblique muscle, which creates hope that he might be on the 10-day injured list for just one month, but manager Walt Weiss said it's too early to put a timetable on his return, per MLB.com. Baldwin was put on the IL on May 19, and barring a setback, he could be back with the big-league club around the middle of June. The 25-year-old National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 has yet to resume baseball activities, and until then, we won't have a clearer picture of when he might be back with the Braves. In the meantime, he should be stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues as one of the best-hitting catchers in the game in just his second season. Baldwin was hitting .303/.389/.543 with a .931 OPS, 13 homers, 38 RBI, 39 runs, and a steal in 188 at-bats before his oblique injury. Sandy Leon and Chadwick Tromp will continue to split the catching duties in Atlanta until Baldwin can return at some point next month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drake Baldwin Diagnosed With Grade 1 Oblique Strain
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 oblique strain, per Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. Baldwin was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The 25-year-old had arguably been the best-hitting catcher in baseball before getting injured, hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 216 plate appearances of 2026. While a Grade 1 diagnosis signals a relatively minor strain for Baldwin, it's still unlikely that he will be able to return as soon as he is eligible in late May. Fellow Braves catcher Sean Murphy (finger) is also currently on the IL, leaving veterans Sandy Leon and Chadwick Tromp to handle catching duties in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.
Source: El Extrabase - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
Source: El Extrabase - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle and selected the contract of catcher Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Baldwin suffered the injury in the blowout loss to the division-rival Miami Marlins on Monday, and he's likely to spend more than 10 days on the shelf. With Sean Murphy (finger) also sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Braves will split the catching duties going forward between Tromp and veteran Sandy Leon. Fantasy managers will want to avoid that situation. The 25-year-old Baldwin, last year's National League Rookie of the Year, needs to be held in all fantasy baseball leagues as one of the top catchers in the game in just his second year in the majors. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Missouri State is currently slashing a healthy .303/.389/.543 with a .931 OPS, 13 home runs, and 38 RBI in 48 games played. Baldwin had 19 homers and 80 RBI as a rookie in 124 games in 2025. UPDATE: Manager Walt Weiss said on Tuesday that Baldwin was sent back to Atlanta to undergo an MRI exam.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Braves Place Sean Murphy Back on Injured List With Fractured Finger
The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher Sean Murphy (finger) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 11) with a fractured left middle finger. In a corresponding move, the Braves signed free-agent veteran catcher Sandy Leon to a major-league contract. Murphy got a late start to the 2026 regular season while recovering from offseason hip surgery, and now he's back on the shelf after playing in only four games for Atlanta. In those four contests, he went 1-for-14 at the plate with a run scored and six strikeouts. The 31-year-old veteran was one of the better power-hitting catchers in the big leagues from 2021 to 2023, but he hasn't played in more than 100 games the last couple of seasons with the Braves as he's struggled with injuries. Murphy is now only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues. Drake Baldwin will now see more work behind the plate (in addition to DH duties), with Leon backing him up in Atlanta. UPDATE: Murphy is expected to be out at least eight weeks.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Drake Baldwin is the Real Deal at Catcher
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has quickly become one of the best offensive catchers in baseball in just his second season in the big leagues. Baldwin went 1-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers and is now hitting .297/.383/.509 with an .892 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 35 runs scored, and a stolen base in 41 games across 188 plate appearances. The 25-year-old backstop has cooled off since his hot start earlier in the season, but he has still hit .257 (9-for-35) with three long balls, a double, seven RBI, and five runs scored in May. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Missouri State was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025, when he hit .274/.341/.469 with an .810 OPS, 19 homers, and 80 RBI in 124 games. Even though Sean Murphy has returned from offseason hip surgery, Baldwin will play regularly in Atlanta and is a bit part of the first-place Braves' offense. His strong start is backed up by the fact that he's in the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
