Drake Baldwin news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hit his 23rd home run Wednesday in a loss to the Rays.
The All-Star's production has made him one of the game's top catchers.
Background
Baldwin has become one of Atlanta's most important young players, forming a catching tandem with Sean Murphy as the Braves push for the NL East title. He has spent much of 2026 batting leadoff, where he has hit .305/.390/.500 over 54 games, well above his overall .276/.352/.446 line. With October approaching, the Braves added veteran catcher Eric Haase on a minor league deal as depth.
How it unfolded
- Sep 1, 2026The Braves sign nine-year veteran catcher Eric Haase to a minor league deal, assigning him to the Florida Complex League as catching depth.
- Sep 8, 2026Baldwin hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Rays at Truist Park.
- Sep 9, 2026Baldwin goes 1-for-3 with a 419-foot solo homer off Griffin Jax in the fourth inning, his 23rd of the season, but the Braves lose to the Rays.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- BatteryPower's Demetrius Bell wrote that Baldwin has been comfortable in the leadoff spot, citing his .305/.390/.500 line and 146 wRC+ there over 54 games.
- Caution
- Heavy reported Baldwin should be due for a contract extension soon, but a few stinker contracts on the Braves' books may be holding that back for now.
Still unverified
Heavy's suggestion that Baldwin is due for a contract extension and that other Braves contracts may be delaying it is reported speculation, not a confirmed team plan.