This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.
NORTH PORT, Fla. — What was it like for Drake Baldwin to return to Spring Coaching understanding he now stood because the Braves’ high prospect, and extra importantly, understanding he would possibly get his first style of the Majors sooner or later this 12 months?
“I positively didn’t suppose I’d be on this spot three years in the past,” Baldwin stated. “It’s fairly cool.”
Baldwin has made nice strides for the reason that Braves chosen him within the third spherical of the 2022 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old catcher has spent the previous couple of years proving his worth extends past his bat. Within the course of, he has established himself as MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 general prospect.
“He’s superior,” Braves beginning pitcher Ian Anderson stated. “I may stand right here all day and speak about him. He’s so good within the locker room, and he loves being across the discipline. He’s one of many first guys to indicate up and one of many final guys to depart. I feel that goes a good distance for that place. He can hit. He’s in all probability one of many higher hitting prospects I’ve seen.”
The baseball world bought a glimpse of Baldwin’s hitting expertise when he hit an opposite-field dwelling run throughout final summer season’s Futures Recreation. The 411-foot shot got here off his bat at 107.3 mph and was the sport’s hardest-hit ball.
“He hits good fastballs higher than I’ve seen most individuals do,” Braves beginning pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver stated. “I bear in mind watching him final 12 months, and it appeared just like the tougher the fastball we confronted, the tougher he hit it. He’s all the time been very spectacular within the field. He’s bought a bunch of juice, however he’s simply an general good hitter. He’s simply not somebody you need to face. He’ll take his knocks, and he’ll additionally take you over the fence.”
Baldwin didn’t present loads of swing-and-miss whereas setting up a .484 slugging proportion on the Triple-A degree final season. His 16.2 p.c strikeout fee was only a tick above his 15.6 p.c stroll fee.
As Anderson and Smith-Shawver spent most of final season with Triple-A Gwinnett, additionally they noticed Baldwin enhance defensively.
“It’s evening and day from when he first bought referred to as as much as Triple-A till now,” Smith-Shawver stated. “It simply takes time, particularly with catching. I like the way in which he’s been in a position to handle a workers, name a sport and obtain. All of these issues. He’s coming alongside. It’s been enjoyable to see.”
Braves veteran starter Reynaldo López felt comfy when Baldwin served as his catcher throughout Sunday’s sport towards the Yankees.
“The way in which he has been framing and receiving has been very spectacular,” López stated.
Baldwin seemingly gained’t be delivered to the Main Leagues till there’s a clear alternative for him to play recurrently. He’s not going to play only one or two days per week with Sean Murphy serving as Atlanta’s main catcher, but when Murphy had been to get injured or prolong final season’s struggles, the Braves’ high prospect could be only a name away.
Even after an 0-for-3 efficiency throughout Sunday’s 11-1 win over the Yankees, Baldwin has gone 4-for-12 with a double, three walks and two RBIs in six Grapefruit League video games. He loved a three-hit sport towards the Marlins on Friday.
“He’s improved,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “He’s gotten higher over time. You possibly can see what all people is speaking about.”
