<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AJy6e3A830wsDk34cVfRj_j2w9Q=/0x0:6721x4481/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73439892/DSC_1750.0.jpg">
Credit: Garrett Spain - Battery Power
The Braves prospect has excelled since being promoted to Gwinnett Futures Game rosters were announced on Tuesday morning, and the Atlanta Braves are only sending one representative in catcher Drake Baldwin. Baldwin is clearly a deserving prospect, as he has separated himself in the system and could be argued to be the system’s top position player prospect. Baldwin has improved his pitch selection and contact rates this year, and since being promoted to Gwinnett has hit the cover off of the ball.
In 16 games since his promotion Baldwin has hit .306/.419/.484 (139 wRC+) with more walks than strikeouts and three home runs. In total he has seven home runs now in 68 games this season after hitting 16 in 109 games last year across three levels. Baldwin got off to a slow start at Mississippi, and despite his good numbers since his promotion he has actually underperformed his metrics a bit as he has led all Gwinnett Stripers hitters with a .410 xwOBA. Baldwin ranks 8th in Triple-A in average exit velocity (min 200 pitches) at 93.8 mph and has a hard hit rate of 54.2% while maintaining a whiff rate better than league average.
The National League roster for the All-Star Futures Game is in! pic.twitter.com/w42711L9AE— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 2, 2024
All of this data underlies what we’ve seen at every level from Baldwin — that he is a hard-working player who has been a sponge for the improvements the Braves have made. Baldwin has improved on defense to being a major league quality catcher, and while he struggles a bit against left handed pitching and may ultimately end up as a platoon player, he clearly has a major league starter ceiling and could be a valuable member in Atlanta as soon as next season.
He really put the RAKE in Drake. Drake Baldwin has his fourth RBI of the night on this three-run homer! pic.twitter.com/egcl2fzrQQ— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) June 23, 2024
The Braves haven’t been getting much representation overall in the futures game over the past few years due to the lack of strength in the system. It’s no surprise given that the Braves top three prospects are either in Atlanta or hurt that the Braves only have one, though it could be seen as a disappointment for Nacho Alvarez to not be selected.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AJy6e3A830wsDk34cVfRj_j2w9Q=/0x0:6721x4481/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73439892/DSC_1750.0.jpg">
Credit: Garrett Spain - Battery Power
The Braves prospect has excelled since being promoted to Gwinnett Futures Game rosters were announced on Tuesday morning, and the Atlanta Braves are only sending one representative in catcher Drake Baldwin. Baldwin is clearly a deserving prospect, as he has separated himself in the system and could be argued to be the system’s top position player prospect. Baldwin has improved his pitch selection and contact rates this year, and since being promoted to Gwinnett has hit the cover off of the ball.
In 16 games since his promotion Baldwin has hit .306/.419/.484 (139 wRC+) with more walks than strikeouts and three home runs. In total he has seven home runs now in 68 games this season after hitting 16 in 109 games last year across three levels. Baldwin got off to a slow start at Mississippi, and despite his good numbers since his promotion he has actually underperformed his metrics a bit as he has led all Gwinnett Stripers hitters with a .410 xwOBA. Baldwin ranks 8th in Triple-A in average exit velocity (min 200 pitches) at 93.8 mph and has a hard hit rate of 54.2% while maintaining a whiff rate better than league average.
The National League roster for the All-Star Futures Game is in! pic.twitter.com/w42711L9AE— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 2, 2024
All of this data underlies what we’ve seen at every level from Baldwin — that he is a hard-working player who has been a sponge for the improvements the Braves have made. Baldwin has improved on defense to being a major league quality catcher, and while he struggles a bit against left handed pitching and may ultimately end up as a platoon player, he clearly has a major league starter ceiling and could be a valuable member in Atlanta as soon as next season.
He really put the RAKE in Drake. Drake Baldwin has his fourth RBI of the night on this three-run homer! pic.twitter.com/egcl2fzrQQ— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) June 23, 2024
The Braves haven’t been getting much representation overall in the futures game over the past few years due to the lack of strength in the system. It’s no surprise given that the Braves top three prospects are either in Atlanta or hurt that the Braves only have one, though it could be seen as a disappointment for Nacho Alvarez to not be selected.
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