Despite the overall disappointment of the 2025 Atlanta Braves season, there were some bright spots worth celebrating. One of those things worth celebrating is rookie catching phenom Drake Baldwin. He burst onto the scene and immediately impacted the team. You couldn't tell he was a rookie at the plate. Baldwin always appeared cool, calm, and collected when battling at the plate.
Baldwin began the season first as a replace for and then in a timeshare with Sean Murphy, but he kept hitting so well that the team had to find ways to get him more at-bats. Eventually, Murphy was down for the season, and Baldwin took over full-time yet again in September.
He was incredible over 124 games with a .274 average, 125 wRC+, 19 home runs, and 80 RBI. He's been a front-runner in the NL Rookie of the Year conversation all year long. He's had some competition along the way, but it feels like he is destined to win the award.
Baldwin has already earned one accolade that increases that optimism. Baldwin was named the 2025 NL Outstanding Rookie in the Players' Choice Awards. The AL winner of this award was Athletic's first baseman Nick Kurtz, who was equally impressive in his debut season.
“What drives me to be successful is seeing how hard everyone else works.”
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 29, 2025
It’s safe to say Drake Baldwin has put in the work this year. Congratulations on being recognized by your peers as the 2025 NL Outstanding Rookie in this year’s Players Choice Awards!@Braves |… pic.twitter.com/ZUBnfLSlQX
Drake Baldwin winning MLBPA's Outstanding Rookie award may bode extremely well for his chances at NL Rookie of the Year
Baldwin has done an amazing job after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft. The Missouri State alum has proven he has what it takes to be an everyday player. He is a great teammate and has some of the best plate discipline on the team. His plate blocking was very good, but if he can improve his framing and pop time, Atlanta may have an elite catcher on their hands.
He isn't the only Braves player to receive a Players' Choice Award this year. Ronald Acuña Jr. was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year. This is the second year in a row that an Atlanta player has taken home this honor. Lefty ace Chris Sale was honored with this award after his Cy Young-winning season.
Acuña winning that award just speaks to how hard he worked to get healthy and be the same player. He impressed with a 161 wRC+ over 95 games, with 12 doubles, 21 homers, 42 RBI, and a 3.5 fWAR.
The future in Atlanta is bright with a healthy Acuña and talented Baldwin behind the dish. Hopefully, 2025 was just a preview of what's to come for both players.