The Atlanta Braves are absolutely cruising to start the 2026 season. They currently lead the NL East by 6.5 games with a 20-9 record. It's been absolutely impressive to watch every day. Catching phenom Drake Baldwin has been a HUGE factor for the Braves, and a big driver of this dominant start. Fans couldn't have expected him to follow his Rookie of the Year campaign with an even better sophomore season.
However, it seems like Baldwin has made it his mission to do just that. Heading into Atlanta's Tuesday matchup against the Tigers, Baldwin was slashing .311/.388/.521 with 37 hits. Of those hits, four are doubles and seven are home runs. Baldwin also has 25 RBI, 62 total bases, and an absurd .909 OPS and a 155 wRC+.
Drake Baldwin this season is carrying a .320 BA with 7 Homeruns and a .950 OPS in 25 games
— Ben Weaver (@weaver_cards) April 23, 2026
The last time a Braves catcher had those numbers 25 games into a season was Dale Murphy back in 1979
Baldwin is truly playing like an MVP🔥 pic.twitter.com/pJM1Nyj2LK
Drake Baldwin's scorching start could have him in the NL MVP conversation
If Baldwin keeps up this pace, he has an opportunity to make Braves history as a catcher. Baldwin has a shot to win the NL MVP, but that's a hard feat for catchers to accomplish. The last NL catcher to win the award was Buster Posey back in 2012.
The highest a Braves catcher has ever finished in MVP voting is Javy Lopez, when he finished 5th in 2003. Lopez slashed .328/.378/.687 with three triples, 29 doubles, 43 homers, 109 RBI, and a 170 wRC+. Baldwin is already on the right path to make this a possibility. It's a tall task for him to clear because of the competition around him, including perennial favorite Shohei Ohtani. Catchers rarely take home MVP honors, but if anyone could make it happen, it's Baldwin.
Whether Baldwin wins or not depends on a lot of factors, but he is going to get a lot of votes if he keeps hitting as well as he is. Baldwin has the most hits and runs scored in the National League. He also carries the second-most RBI.
For example, when Posey won the award in 2012, he slashed .336/.408/.549, with 39 doubles, 24 homers, 103 RBI, a 171 wRC+, and a 7.6 WAR. Those are some steep numbers, but would likely be what it takes to convince enough voters that Baldwin is worthy of the award.
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