Drake Baldwin entered 2025 spring training hopeful to push for an Opening Day roster spot. He impressed early, but nothing was guaranteed. However, after Sean Murphy cracked a rib in early March, it was clear Baldwin would be thrust into a larger role faster than anyone expected. To his credit, Baldwin never flinched. Most rookies hit that inevitable "rookie wall," but Baldwin never looked like most rookies.
The Braves' top prospect entering 2025 showcased all season why the front office was correct in their high hopes for him, and in the end it earned him 2025 NL Rookie of the Year honors.
The ROY award was announced on MLB Network on Monday night, and the entire segment was truly a full-circle moment for Drake Baldwin.
"The only way I could do it is with all the help I had throughout the team..." - Drake Baldwin
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 11, 2025
The @Braves backstop and NL Rookie of the Year winner joins us live to revisit his debut season, praise the teammates who helped him succeed and more. pic.twitter.com/7MOj0dEKH6
Fellow Missouri State Alum Ryan Howard announces Braves' Drake Baldwin as 2025 NL Rookie of the Year
MLB Network had 2005 NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard on the show to announce this season's winner. The former Philadelphia Phillies slugger was a longtime rival to Braves country, but on Monday evening, he reminded us he has more in common with Drake Baldwin than being NL Rookie of the Year winners. Yes, both Howard and Baldwin went to Missouri State University before being drafted to their respective NL East squads.
During the announcement, Howard wished his fellow Missouri State alum continued success, and Baldwin reciprocated the love by saying Howard being the one to announce the award "made it that much more special". Baldwin also revealed that Howard helped out Missouri State while he was attending, and that he was lucky enough to have one of Howard's scholarships while he was there.
Howard was drafted out of Missouri State back in 2001, and 21 years later Baldwin was selected from that same college by the Braves in the third round. The 2006 NL MVP was a building block to the powerhouse Phillies teams of the mid-late 2000s, and hopefully Baldwin is on his way to becoming that same player for Atlanta.
It's evident the Braves top brass have been high on Baldwin for quite sometime, and it's nice to see the frustrating 2025 season give both the organization and fans at least one good development from a troublesome season. The Braves think Baldwin's Rookie of the Year award is just the beginning. If he follows his fellow Missouri State alum's path, perhaps MVP is next?