The Braves have had no shortage of major league catchers in recent years, and with the club’s top prospect, Drake Baldwin, banging on the door of Atlanta, they once again have a logjam at the position.
A few years ago, the club had one of the best backstop duos in baseball with Travis d’Arnaud and William Contreras, with top prospect Shea Langeliers waiting his turn on the farm. Over the course of two offseasons, Contreras and Langeliers were traded in blockbuster deals for Sean Murphy and Matt Olson, respectively.
Now, Alex Anthopoulos faces a similar situation, with Murphy slated to start 70% of Atlanta’s games behind the dish and Baldwin ready for his MLB debut. So, what is the Braves’ plan with their top prospect?
Baldwin made his way to Triple-A Gwinnett this year, where he played 72 games and hit .298/.407/.484 while playing good defense behind the plate. His stick is major league ready, but do the Braves really want him in Atlanta to mostly sit?
As it stands, Murphy is in line to start 70% of the games, which leaves around 45 games for Chadwick Tromp or Drake Baldwin. For a prospect who needs every opportunity possible to improve behind the plate, a craft that is very nuanced and can only be improved through experience, Baldwin just riding the pine behind Murphy doesn’t seem ideal.
So, if that’s the Braves thinking, keeping him in Triple-A Gwinnett to start a bulk of the games for the Stripers seems most sensible. However, it’s not like Sean Murphy is just going to suddenly leave Atlanta; he’s under contract through the 2028 season with a club option in 2029. The Braves have a choice.
With Baldwin’s value as high as it is, it might be wise to capitalize and trade him for a piece that can contribute in Atlanta right now. It’s a difficult pill to swallow for such a talented prospect, but the backup catcher role is for a cheap veteran, not a highly touted prospect who needs opportunities.
If the Braves plan on swinging a blockbuster trade this offseason, like they’ve done in each of the last three winters, teams are going to want Drake Baldwin. The return we’ll have to be great, but he’s nowhere close to untouchable, given the circumstances.
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Photographer: Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire
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