Braves Sweep Players Choice Awards: Ronald Acuña Jr. Wins Comeback Player of the Year, Drake Baldwin Named Outstanding Rookie.vc
In a stunning show of respect from their opponents, two of Atlanta’s biggest 2025 stars have been honored by their peers in the MLBPA awards.
ATLANTA — The 2025 Atlanta Braves season was a story of resilience in the face of adversity, and nowhere is that more evident than in the individual awards announced today.
The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has revealed the winners of the annual Players Choice Awards—the prestigious honors voted on by the players themselves. In a resounding victory for the organization, the Braves swept the major National League categories.
Superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. has officially completed his emotional journey back, being named the 2025 NL Comeback Player of the Year. Meanwhile, in a development that highlights the team’s bright future, Drake Baldwin was voted by his peers as the 2025 NL Outstanding Rookie.
The King’s Return: Acuña’s Triumph
Acuña’s win is one of the most moving stories of the season. After his historic 2023 NL MVP campaign, Acuña was met with heartbreak, suffering his second career ACL tear in 2024, which forced him to miss the entire season.
Entering 2025, the questions surrounding him were immense. Could he return? Would he be the same dynamic, game-changing player?
Acuña answered those questions with a resounding yes. While he may not have put up the record-breaking 40-70 numbers of his MVP season, he battled his way back onto the field and immediately re-established himself as a dominant force in the heart of the Braves’ lineup. He played through the expected aches and mental fatigue of rehabilitation to be a pillar for a team that desperately needed his presence.
This award, voted on by his opponents, is a testament to the respect they have for his toughness and determination to return to an elite level. It is an award that goes beyond the stat sheet and speaks to the heart of a warrior.
The Rookie Rises: Baldwin Makes a Statement
Drake Baldwin’s story is no less impressive. When All-Star catcher Sean Murphy went down with a cracked rib early in the season, many feared the worst for the crucial position.
Stepping into the void was Baldwin, a highly-regarded but untested rookie. He didn’t just fill in—he took over. Baldwin stepped up in spectacular fashion, showcasing solid defense, excellent game-management skills, and a bat that exceeded all expectations. He provided much-needed stability behind the plate and became an unexpected spark for the lineup.
For players around the league to recognize him as the Outstanding Rookie—over a field of impressive young talent—shows just how much they value a rookie catcher’s ability to handle the pressure of a contending team and excel.
For the Braves to take home both awards tells the story of their 2025 season: the resilience of their franchise superstar and the stunning emergence of the next generation.
Congratulations to Ronald and Drake on these well-deserved awards.
