ATLANTA — Drake Baldwin has an opportunity to turn into simply the second Braves catcher to be named Rookie of the Yr.
Baldwin was named one of many finalists for the Jackie Robinson Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr Award on Monday night time. The opposite two finalists are Cubs pitcher Cade Horton and Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin.
Voting for this award was accomplished by members of the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America. The winner will likely be introduced on MLB Community on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET.
Baldwin hit .274 with 19 house runs and a .810 OPS. His 3.1 fWAR led NL rookies. Not dangerous for a 24-year-old catcher who got here to Spring Coaching pondering he would possibly must spend a pair extra months on the Triple-A degree.
With Sean Murphy beginning the season on the injured listing due to a fractured rib, Baldwin proudly accepted the glory of being Atlanta’s Opening Day catcher. He then gave the Braves no selection however to maintain him on the huge league degree, even after Murphy returned throughout the common season’s second full week.
Baldwin was at his finest in Might, producing a 1.003 OPS over 56 plate appearances. However his constant manufacturing is what stood out. His means to make needed changes all through the season helped Baldwin produce an .800-plus OPS throughout every of the common season’s last three months.
Baldwin’s 19 house runs rank because the second-highest whole in a single season from by a Braves rookie catcher. Earl Williams set the document with 33 homers en path to being named the 1971 NL Rookie of the Yr.
