Drake Baldwin has gotten hot at the perfect time and as a result, the NL Rookie of the Year race is looking a lot more like a coin flip as of today. The Atlanta Braves rookie catcher seemed to have slipped behind Cubs RHP Cade Horton after a mini slump at the beginning of September, but that slump was short-lived and Baldwin has went right back to annihilating baseballs.
Whether Baldwin or Horton takes home the award depends on who you talk to, but one national baseball writer has publicly cast his vote for the Braves rookie. Jayson Stark of The Athletic released his season award winners today in a recent article, and his choice for NL Rookie of the Year was Drake Baldwin.
Drake Baldwin could join elite company if he wins Rookie of the Year
Jayson Stark is the latest writer to come out and voice his support for Baldwin over Horton in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Stark mentioned Baldwin's consistency at a premium position, and the fact that he has been helping the Braves since Opening Day as major factors in his decision to select Baldwin for the award.
Stark detailed some impressive statistics that could sway other voters in Baldwin's favor. Since the Rookie of the Year award came into place in 1947 only four rookie catchers have hit as many homers as Baldwin, had as good an OPS+, and matched or beat his .275/.342/.466 slash line.
Those four catchers are Mike Piazza, Carlton Fisk, Geovany Soto, and Matt Nokes. They all won Rookie of the Year except for Nokes who lost to Mark McGwire in 1987. Catchers who are a plus on offense nowadays are few and far between. Rookie catchers who produce like Baldwin has is basically unheard of.
Baldwin has been historic this season, all while improving defensively throughout the year despite the rotation being pieced together by duct tape over the season's second half. And thanks to Baldwin's recent hot streak it seems a lot of voters are recognizing his greatness and voicing their support for yet another Brave taking home the Rookie of the Year award.