Drake Baldwin Stats & Scouting Report

AB	53
AVG	.377
OBP	.452
SLG	.491
HR	1

Full name Drake Randall Baldwin
Born 03/28/2001 in Madison, WI
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Missouri State
Drafted in the 3rd round (96th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2022 (signed for $633,300).

View Draft Report

Baldwin came into the 2022 season viewed as a bat-first catcher who was also a solid leader behind the plate. His power arrived this year, transforming him as a draft prospect. A two-time all-state hockey player in high school who led the state of Wisconsin in goals as a junior, Baldwin hit five home runs in his first two years at Missouri State, but blossomed to hit 19 this year, including three in the NCAA regionals. Baldwin’s power comes more from leverage and strength than whippy hands, but he has developed into a clever, selective hitter with all-fields power. He walked as much as he struck out in 2022 to go with his 19 home runs. Defensively, there are more questions about Baldwin’s potential. He is an improving and willing defender, but he’s fringe-average at best right now. Baldwin sets with a wide base and has adequate hands, which helps him present pitches well. His blocking is more erratic. He has an average arm. As a lefthanded-hitting catcher with power, Baldwin has hit his way into the third-to-fifth round range.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.

Track Record: Baldwin was a multi-sport athlete in high school who played baseball and was also an all-state hockey player who as a junior led the state of Wisconsin in goals scored. He played three years at Missouri State and had a power surge as a junior when he homered 19 times and ranked as the No. 143 prospect in the 2022 draft class. The Braves signed him for $633,300 in the third round and in his first full pro season in 2023 he moved from High-A Rome to Triple-A Gwinnett as one of Atlanta’s most productive minor league hitters. Baldwin replicated that performance in Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, when he led qualified Braves minor leaguers with a .423 slugging percentage, homered 16 times, doubled 19 times and posted a 119 wRC+.

Scouting Report: Baldwin is a filled-out 6-foot, 210-pound, lefthanded hitter who employs an open setup and high leg kick to start his swing. He quieted his hands in 2024 with a lower handset in his load which should help him get into a more consistent launch position. He’s a well-rounded hitter who hits the ball hard, understands the strike zone and improved his contact skills year-over-year against upper-level minor league pitching—particularly against secondaries. Baldwin produced a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.9 mph in 2024, which was among the best in Atlanta’s system. Simultaneously, he boasts one of the keener batting eyes of the group. He owns a 13.9% career minor league walk rate and in his 72-game stint with Triple-A Gwinnett walked nearly as often as he struck out. While Baldwin’s power and swing decisions stand out more than his pure bat-to-ball skills, he’s proven to be a more adaptive hitter than the most bearish scouts expected him to be and should provide solid hittability to go with strong on-base percentages and 20-plus home run potential. Baldwin is a steady, reliable defender behind the plate who works from a one-knee setup and receives the ball cleanly. His pure arm strength is below-average with throws that lack carry at times, but his quick release and solid accuracy help. Baldwin threw out 20% of basestealers in 2024, an average rate. The Braves were excited about the strides Baldwin made in his relationships with pitchers, and some external scouts view his ability to manage a staff as his carrying defensive tool. He’s a well below-average runner, which shouldn’t be a problem for the position.

The Future: Baldwin’s continued offensive performance and strides in the batter’s box have taken him from a likely backup catcher to a potential first-division regular. He checks plenty of boxes as a lefthanded-hitting catcher with power, on-base skills and minor league track record. He could make his MLB debut in 2025, and seems well-positioned to pair with Sean Murphy as Atlanta’s catching tandem from 2026 onward.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Baldwin used a 19-homer platform draft year at Missouri State to catapult himself into early Day 2 draft range, and the Braves signed him for $633,300 in the third round in 2022. After a brief pro debut mostly with Low-A Augusta, Baldwin played mostly at High-A Rome in 2023 but saw time at both Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He was one of Atlanta’s most productive minor league hitters with a 132 wRC+, 16 home runs and 26 doubles.

Scouting Report: Baldwin has a unique setup at the plate with an extremely high initial handset, before getting into a more typical launch position with a high leg lift as the pitcher drives toward the plate. While he’s never had crazy bat speed, Baldwin does have solid raw power. He managed some of the best exit velocity numbers in Atlanta’s system this year, with a 90.1 mph average and 105.1 mph 90th percentile EVs. He has solid plate discipline and managed a 14.1% walk rate, while hammering fastballs--including those at 93 mph plus--though he needs to cut down his swing-and-miss against secondaries. Baldwin is a fair defender behind the plate. He works from a one-knee setup and presents the ball reasonably well. He improved his ability to control the running game, though his arm strength is just average. He mostly clocks 2.00-second pop times to second, but will occasionally hit 1.90 on a clean release. Baldwin is a well below-average runner.

The Future: Baldwin’s most likely outcome is a serviceable, lefthanded-hitting backup catcher who brings a solid combination of receiving ability, plate discipline and contact skills. He should spend 2024 in the upper minors. If he takes a step forward on either side of the ball he could profile more as a regular.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Baldwin ranked as the No. 7 college catcher and No. 143 draft prospect in the 2022 class after a 19-homer season with Missouri State and a long track record as a strong on-base percentage player. The Braves made him their first hitter selected in the 2022 class when they signed him for $633,300 in the third round.

Scouting Report: Baldwin has an athletic background as a multi-sport athlete who was also a standout hockey player during high school in Wisconsin. He turned into a bat-first catching prospect with Missouri State, where he showed strong swing decisions throughout the course of his college career, with power showing up during his 2022 junior campaign. Baldwin derives his power from strength more than bat speed, but he posted impressive exit velocities (89.3 average) during his pro debut, while continuing to show a patient and selective approach at the plate, with most of his games coming at Low-A Augusta. Baldwin earned fringy grades for his defensive ability behind the plate in college, but the Braves are high on his aptitude at the position and believe he will do enough to stick at the position. Amateur scouts thought he had adequate hands, with average arm strength and blocking ability that needed more consistency.

The Future: Baldwin will look to be another amateur catcher who exceeds his amateur defensive evaluations, a la the Twins' Ryan Jeffers or the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, while bringing a strong lefthanded stick to the plate.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.

Draft Prospects

School: Missouri State Committed/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
BA Grade: 40/High
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
Baldwin came into the 2022 season viewed as a bat-first catcher who was also a solid leader behind the plate. His power arrived this year, transforming him as a draft prospect. A two-time all-state hockey player in high school who led the state of Wisconsin in goals as a junior, Baldwin hit five home runs in his first two years at Missouri State, but blossomed to hit 19 this year, including three in the NCAA regionals. Baldwin’s power comes more from leverage and strength than whippy hands, but he has developed into a clever, selective hitter with all-fields power. He walked as much as he struck out in 2022 to go with his 19 home runs. Defensively, there are more questions about Baldwin’s potential. He is an improving and willing defender, but he’s fringe-average at best right now. Baldwin sets with a wide base and has adequate hands, which helps him present pitches well. His blocking is more erratic. He has an average arm. As a lefthanded-hitting catcher with power, Baldwin has hit his way into the third-to-fifth round range.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Baldwin ranked as the No. 7 college catcher and No. 143 draft prospect in the 2022 class after a 19-homer season with Missouri State and a long track record as a strong on-base percentage player. The Braves made him their first hitter selected in the 2022 class when they signed him for $633,300 in the third round.

Scouting Report: Baldwin has an athletic background as a multi-sport athlete who was also a standout hockey player during high school in Wisconsin. He turned into a bat-first catching prospect with Missouri State, where he showed strong swing decisions throughout the course of his college career, with power showing up during his 2022 junior campaign. Baldwin derives his power from strength more than bat speed, but he posted impressive exit velocities (89.3 average) during his pro debut, while continuing to show a patient and selective approach at the plate, with most of his games coming at Low-A Augusta. Baldwin earned fringy grades for his defensive ability behind the plate in college, but the Braves are high on his aptitude at the position and believe he will do enough to stick at the position. Amateur scouts thought he had adequate hands, with average arm strength and blocking ability that needed more consistency.

The Future: Baldwin will look to be another amateur catcher who exceeds his amateur defensive evaluations, a la the Twins' Ryan Jeffers or the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, while bringing a strong lefthanded stick to the plate.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Baldwin ranked as the No. 7 college catcher and No. 143 draft prospect in the 2022 class after a 19-homer season with Missouri State and a long track record as a strong on-base percentage player. The Braves made him their first hitter selected in the 2022 class when they signed him for $633,300 in the third round.

Scouting Report: Baldwin has an athletic background as a multi-sport athlete who was also a standout hockey player during high school in Wisconsin. He turned into a bat-first catching prospect with Missouri State, where he showed strong swing decisions throughout the course of his college career, with power showing up during his 2022 junior campaign. Baldwin derives his power from strength more than bat speed, but he posted impressive exit velocities (89.3 average) during his pro debut, while continuing to show a patient and selective approach at the plate, with most of his games coming at Low-A Augusta. Baldwin earned fringy grades for his defensive ability behind the plate in college, but the Braves are high on his aptitude at the position and believe he will do enough to stick at the position. Amateur scouts thought he had adequate hands, with average arm strength and blocking ability that needed more consistency.

The Future: Baldwin will look to be another amateur catcher who exceeds his amateur defensive evaluations, a la the Twins' Ryan Jeffers or the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, while bringing a strong lefthanded stick to the plate.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
BA Grade: 40/High

August Update: a Baldwin came into the 2022 season viewed as a bat-first catcher who was also a solid leader behind the plate. His power arrived this year, transforming him as a draft prospect. A two-time all-state hockey player in high school who led the state of Wisconsin in goals as a junior, Baldwin hit five home runs in his first two years at Missouri State, but blossomed to hit 19 this year, including three in the NCAA regionals. Baldwin&#39s power comes more from leverage and strength than whippy hands, but he has developed into a clever, selective hitter with all-fields power. He walked as much as he struck out in 2022 to go with his 19 home runs. Defensively, there are more questions about Baldwin&#39s potential. He is an improving and willing defender, but he&#39s fringe-average at best right now. Baldwin sets with a wide base and has adequate hands, which helps him present pitches well. His blocking is more erratic. He has an average arm. As a lefthanded-hitting catcher with power, Baldwin signed with the Braves for $633,300 after being selected in the third round with the 96th overall pick.