Height
6'0"
Weight
225 lbs
Age
25
College
Missouri State
Experience
1 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB-
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 128 | 0.27380952 | 21 | 82 | 0.8174432 | 0 | 115 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Braves secured excellent value by locking up Drake Baldwin at just $0.8M for one year, earning a B+ CVI that reflects both the catcher's solid starter capabilities and the franchise's shrewd roster management. Baldwin represents exactly the type of cost-controlled depth that contending teams need behind the plate, where his defensive reliability and game-calling skills provide 2+ WAR upside without breaking the payroll structure. Given the notorious scarcity at catcher and the premium teams typically pay for even replacement-level backstops, Atlanta's ability to retain a solid starter at less than $1M AAV is a significant win in today's market. The short-term deal also preserves flexibility for the organization's competitive window while their young core remains in cost-controlled years, allowing them to allocate bigger dollars toward impact bats and rotation pieces. Baldwin's contract serves as a textbook example of how teams can extract maximum value from the catching position without overpaying for premium names, setting up the Braves to complement this foundational piece with higher-impact investments elsewhere on the diamond.
Performance Analysis
Drake Baldwin grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB catchers, earning a B+ Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.274 batting average and a 0.810 OPS (above the league average of .720, an above-average mark) this season. With 19 home runs and 80 RBI through 124 games (a 25-HR, 105-RBI pace over a full season), he brings above-average power to the lineup. As a rookie at 24, Drake is a key contributor for the Braves.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs CLE | W 11-5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ LAA | W 8-2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
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