NORTH PORT, Fla. — It’s been assumed Drake Baldwin will function the Braves’ major catcher whereas Sean Murphy misses the primary week or two of the common season with a cracked left rib. However the intention to position Baldwin on the Opening Day roster turned official on Friday, when Atlanta bought his contract from Triple-A Gwinnett.
“There’s no query he’s prepared for it,” Braves veteran starter Chris Sale mentioned. “We’re in place regardless of who’s on the market. However simply his angle, his character and his demeanor, he’s as ready for this as anyone.”
Baldwin ranks as baseball’s No. 62 prospect and the Braves’ No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old Wisconsin native will make his Main League debut on Opening Day, when he serves as Sale’s catcher. He took full benefit of the chance he was given after the membership discovered Murphy could be sidelined a month to 6 weeks after cracking his rib on Feb. 28.
“He’s an exceptional catcher,” Braves right-hander Spencer Strider mentioned. “I like throwing to him. He has an excellent persona. He’s pals with everyone. He’s very, very communicative and really social. He’s an exceptional participant with an excellent swing. However he simply has the presence of a man that has expertise.”
Baldwin had a sense excellent news was awaiting when Braves bench coach Walt Weiss signaled for him to return to supervisor Brian Snitker’s workplace early Friday morning.
“It’s good to formally hear it and speak to Snit and have him inform me,” Baldwin mentioned. “I didn’t know for certain. It’s good to know I’m going over to San Diego [for Opening Day against the Padres].”
Baldwin texted his mom, Bridgette, asking her if she had time to speak earlier than starting her duties as a trainer in Sauk Prairie, Wis. She instantly known as again and started planning to be in San Diego for Thursday’s massive occasion.
It’s notable that Sale and Strider targeted on the defensive abilities Baldwin has proven over the previous few weeks. The younger catcher has all the time been lauded for his bat, which helped him produce a .891 OPS in 334 plate appearances for Gwinnett final 12 months. However his most vital strides have been made defensively.
When Spring Coaching started, the idea was Baldwin would make his MLB debut in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months. The timeline was accelerated, and there may be now cause to suppose that he may keep within the Majors when Murphy returns, even when he was enjoying simply a couple of times every week. The Braves consider Baldwin may gain advantage from being round massive league pitchers, who may assist enhance his game-calling abilities.
The Braves additionally basically set their bullpen on Friday, after they bought the contracts of veteran relievers Héctor Neris and Enyel De Los Santos. Neris, who posted a 1.71 ERA for the Astros in 2023, was a late arrival to camp. However he confirmed sufficient over the previous week to offer the crew confidence he’s prepared. De Los Santos persistently flashed an upper-90s fastball whereas permitting simply two earned runs and two hits over 6 2/3 innings this spring.
The one remaining query is how the Braves would possibly use Ian Anderson and No. 3 prospect AJ Smith-Shawver. Carrying an additional starter will present insurance coverage because the crew performs a sport throughout every of the season’s first seven days. If an extended reliever isn’t wanted, there’s an opportunity each may find yourself making a begin inside the first six video games. This could permit Sale to make his second begin with an additional day of relaxation.
“[Whoever is] slotted to be quantity 5 might be obtainable for one, actually, and go a pair innings if we see match,” Snitker mentioned.
After Sale threw 4 scoreless innings towards the Rays in Friday afternoon’s 7-3 win over the Rays at Charlotte Sports activities Park, Smith-Shawver entered and allowed three runs (two earned) over 4 innings. Each will now enter Opening Day with an additional day of relaxation. However Anderson could be on common relaxation for the season opener after he follows Reynaldo López towards the Tigers in Lakeland on Saturday.
No matter how they’re used, it seems to be like Anderson and Smith-Shawver will each open the season on Atlanta’s roster. The primary 4 starters shall be Sale, López, Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes.
Since Alex Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract on Tuesday, there’s been cause to surprise how he may match with the Braves. The 28-year-old outfielder supplies insurance coverage in case of an harm or one other disappointing season from Jarred Kelenic. And if he’s wanted on the massive league degree, it appears he may add some persona to Atlanta’s clubhouse.
“That’s a enjoyable man to have within the clubhouse,” mentioned Sale, who performed with Verdugo in Boston. “He can combine it up. It isn’t going to be boring with him there. You are speaking a couple of man that within the outfield is usually a Gold Glover. He runs the bases effectively, as effectively. And when he will get sizzling, that’s a troublesome out. I believe that’s pickup. If we want him, he might be there for us.”
