Braves' Drake Baldwin: Recovered from allergic reaction
Rotowire
Baldwin is fine Friday after being scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to an allergic reaction, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The 23-year-old had an accidental exposure to walnuts but has since recovered from the allergic reaction. Baldwin is Atlanta's top prospect and has yet to make his MLB debut, but that could change soon with No. 1 backstop Sean Murphy (rib) set to begin the season on the injured list. Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution projects Baldwin to be the team's Opening Day starter behind the plate.
Baldwin was scratched from Atlanta's lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to an allergic reaction.
Atlanta describes Baldwin's removal from the lineup as precautionary, so the young backstop can be considered day-to-day moving forward. With Sean Murphy (rib) set to begin the season on the injured list, Baldwin remains the leading candidate to serve as Atlanta's Opening Day catcher.
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Braves' Drake Baldwin: Staking claim to Opening Day role
Rotowire
Baldwin appears to be the favorite to begin the season as Atlanta's starting catcher with Sean Murphy (ribs) sidelined, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The organization's top prospect seemed likely to make his MLB debut at some point in 2025 anyway, but Murphy's injury in camp could accelerate that timeline. Baldwin might have pushed his way onto the Opening Day roster anyway given how he's performed this spring -- both pitchers and coaches have been impressed by his work behind the plate, and the 23-year-old is batting .375 (6-for-16) so far in camp with an eye-popping 4:0 BB:K. Murphy could be back by mid-April, giving Baldwin a small window to establish himself in the majors should he break camp with the club.
Braves' Drake Baldwin: Could begin season as top catcher
Rotowire
Baldwin has a chance to open the season as Atlanta's starting catcher after Sean Murphy suffered a fractured rib Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The injury will keep Murphy out for the rest of the spring, and at a minimum, he'll be out for the first week or two of the season. Baldwin, the club's top prospect, slashed .276/.370/.423 with 18 home runs between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2024. He is not yet on the 40-man roster, which could work against him if Atlanta is confident Murphy will not miss much time. However, Baldwin offers much more upside than the other catching options in camp (Chadwick Tromp, Sandy Leon and Curt Casali).
Braves' Drake Baldwin: Nets invite to spring training
Rotowire
Atlanta has extended Baldwin an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.
Baldwin slashed .276/.370/.423 with 18 home runs between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2024 and is viewed by most as the club's top prospect. While Sean Murphy should have a clear placement at the top of the catcher depth chart in Atlanta heading into the 2025 season, the absence of Travis d'Arnaud gives Baldwin a clearer path to debut sooner rather than later.
Baldwin is slashing .297/.412/.479 with 11 home runs and more walks (47) than strikeouts (45) in 62 games for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Baldwin's 31.2 percent hard-hit rate, 80 percent contact rate and 15.6 percent strikeout rate are all high-end marks for an upper-level catching prospect. Atlanta has an $8 million club option on Travis d'Arnaud for 2025, while Sean Murphy is locked up long term, so it's unclear how large Baldwin's role will be in 2025.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-1, 215 lbs
Birthplace: Milwaukee, WI
Age: 23
Experience: R
Bats/Throws: L, R
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