Drake Baldwin

Drake Baldwin broke out in 2025, finishing with a .274/.341/.469 slash line, 19 home runs and an .810 OPS (126 OPS+) across 446 plate appearances, good for 3.3 WAR and a runner-up Rookie of the Year finish. His underlying profile supports the production: a .358 rOBA (130 Rbat+), 91.7 mph average exit velocity and 49.6% hard-hit rate all comfortably cleared league norms, while his 15.2% strikeout rate was elite for a power-hitting catcher. Baldwin's balanced batted-ball distribution (23.1% LD, 48.7% GB, 24.9% FB) and strong situational metrics (26.68 RE24) point to a polished, sustainable offensive skill set rather than a fluky debut. For fantasy purposes, Baldwin is a clear riser at a thin catcher position. Catchers who combine above-average power (4.3% HR rate, .195 ISO) with strong contact skills are rare, and his everyday role in Atlanta further boosts counting-stat reliability. If the 2026 projections maintain anything close to his rookie rate production over a fuller workload, Baldwin profiles as a top-tier fantasy catcher with a stable floor and legitimate 20-25 home run upside.

Drake Baldwin named National League Rookie of the Year

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was named the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year on Monday. He becomes the first catcher to win the award since Buster Posey took home the hardware in 2010.

Fantasy Impact

Baldwin won the award comfortably, securing 21 of the 30 first-place votes, beating out Cade Horton, who received the other nine. Baldwin was a valuable bat for Atlanta throughout the 2025 campaign, slashing .274/.341/.469 with 19 home runs, 80 RBI, and 56 runs scored in 124 games.