Drake Baldwin has been nothing short of a revelation for the Atlanta Braves since he burst onto the scene in 2025. With Sean Murphy sidelined, Baldwin stepped up to the plate-literally and figuratively-and delivered in a big way.
When Braves fans needed a clutch performance, Baldwin was the guy they wanted. His ability to work the count and make solid contact was remarkable for a rookie.
His whiff and strikeout rates? Practically unheard of, ranking him among the elite in MLB last season.
His stellar performance didn't go unnoticed, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year honors. And as spring rolls around, Baldwin seems to be picking up right where he left off. His hot start has fans buzzing about a potential run at the NL MVP.
Sure, it's just spring training, but Baldwin is hitting .333 as of March 16, with two doubles, two triples, two homers, and nine RBIs over nine games. If he maintains last season's form and taps into even more power, the MVP chatter could become reality. Yet, a couple of hurdles stand in his way.
Today, Baldwin was crushing it-literally. Each of the three balls he put in play had an exit velocity of at least 100 mph.
Out of 23 balls in play, 20 were hard-hit. That's the kind of power that makes pitchers sweat.
However, catchers rarely snag MVP honors. The last NL catcher to do so was Buster Posey in 2012.
In the AL, Joe Mauer achieved it back in 2009. History doesn't exactly favor Baldwin here.
Then there's the competition. Shohei Ohtani and Baldwin's teammate, Ronald Acuna Jr., are perennial MVP contenders. Their impressive track records make them early favorites once again.
For Baldwin to clinch the MVP, he'd need a season for the ages. Consider Posey's 2012 MVP year: a .336/.408/.549 slash line, 39 doubles, 24 homers, 103 RBIs, a 171 wRC+, and a 7.6 WAR. That's a tall order for any player, let alone a second-year catcher.
But Baldwin has shown he's got the right mindset and approach to tackle these challenges. While it might seem daunting, he's got the tools to make it happen. Braves fans have every reason to dream big.