The Atlanta Braves have a long and storied history of rookies showing out. If you go way back, you will find names like Sam Jethroe and Bob Horner, but that tradition has continued to modern times with Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, and Spencer Strider all having standout campaigns. Despite the team's struggles in 2025, the Braves have managed to have two standout rookies this season in Drake Baldwin and Hurston Waldrep.
Waldrep and Baldwin started the season in very different places. Baldwin was pressed into service a bit earlier than expected after Sean Murphy broke his rib this spring and has been among the NL's best rookies pretty much ever since. In Waldrep's case, he came into the season with his stock trending downward after a rough 2024 and concerns over the quality and shape of his fastball emerged.
With Atlanta's 3-1 win over the Phillies on Sunday, both rookies added to their already impressive resumes when the team needed them the most.
Hurston Waldrep and Drake Baldwin continued to play out of their minds in win over Phillies
While Baldwin had the biggest moment, most of the evening belonged to Waldrep as he dominated the Phillies' lineup. He certainly did not have his best stuff as the four walks on his line show, but Waldrep still pitched into the sixth inning against one of the better teams (unfortunately) in baseball while giving up just one run on a solo homer. Just like that, Waldrep was the proud owner of a historically great month with a 1.01 ERA in 35.2 innings of work.
As for Baldwin, he had arguably the biggest moment in the game despite not even being in the starting lineup. Baldwin pinch hit for Nick Allen (thankfully) in the eighth inning and his walk helped keep the inning alive long enough for Atlanta to tie the game. He would then stay in the game at catcher and in the ninth inning with two outs against Jose Alvarado, Baldwin cranked a two-run homer to left that just barely got out. Once again, Baldwin came up huge in the ninth inning of a game the Braves really needed to win.
This has been a very disappointing season for Braves fans and most are just wanting things to wrap up so they can forget this ever happened. However, there have been some notable bright spots and if trends hold, both Waldrep and Baldwin are bright spots that should continue to be a part of better days ahead for Atlanta.