The Reigning Rookie: Drake Baldwin Caps Breakout Season with NL Rookie of the Year Award.vc
The Atlanta Braves’ conviction about their young catcher, Drake Baldwin, has been decisively validated: He was officially named the 2025 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Baldwin’s stunning debut season, unexpectedly thrust into the starting role due to a Sean Murphy injury, showcased an aptitude at the plate that drew praise from teammates like Chris Sale, and earned him the prestigious award in a landslide vote over Cubs pitcher Cade Horton.
The Rookie of the Year Performance
Baldwin’s rookie numbers at a premium defensive position speak for themselves, justifying the argument that he is one of the most valuable young players in baseball:
- Final Stat Line (124 Games): .274/.341/.469
- Power/Production: 19 Home Runs and 80 RBI
- Advanced Metrics: 125 wRC+ (3.1 fWAR, leading all qualified NL rookies)
His 80 RBI were the most among all NL rookies, and he led all qualified first-year players in batting average, OPS (.810), and slugging percentage. His performance placed him in an exclusive group, as he is only the seventh catcher in National League history to win the award, following in the footsteps of legends like Buster Posey (2010).
The Undervaluation Debate: Last in Long-Term Value?
Despite his award win, a debate remains regarding his long-term value, highlighted by the fact that he was ranked dead last on a recent MLB Pipeline Top 10 Rookies list based on future potential.
| Perspective | Argument for High Value (Braves/Sale) | Argument for Low Ranking (MLB Pipeline) |
| Position & Production | Plays catcher (a premier defensive position) while hitting at an elite level (125 wRC+). Franchise catcher potential. | The ranking is based on long-term value, potentially prioritizing high-upside players at less demanding positions, or those with more advanced defensive profiles. |
| Defensive Caveat | Strong baseball IQ and is a great teammate. Ace Chris Sale praised his presence. | The Braves allowed 88 stolen bases while he was catching, the most among NL catchers, indicating room for defensive improvement that impacts future ranking projections. |
| Vote Totals | Baldwin won the award in a blowout, securing 21 of 30 first-place votes (183 points total) over runner-up Cade Horton’s 9 first-place votes (139 points). | Future performance must prove his debut wasn’t a “fluke” and that his offensive output is sustainable while his defense progresses. |
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The gap between Baldwin’s immediate, quantifiable Rookie of the Year impact and his perceived long-term value ranking illustrates the difference between measuring current production and future ceiling in a historically strong 2025 rookie class.
With Drake Baldwin now solidified as the franchise catcher, the Braves can focus on other needs. Given the importance of the catcher position and his immediate success, how does Baldwin’s rookie 125 wRC+ compare to the career-high wRC+ of his tandem partner, Sean Murphy?
