Drake Baldwin has quickly become a name to watch in Major League Baseball. As the Atlanta Braves’ promising young catcher, Baldwin’s journey from Madison, Wisconsin, to the big leagues is a story of talent, hard work, and steady progress.
In just a few years, he’s gone from a standout college player to making his MLB debut, earning praise from coaches and teammates alike. Fans are excited to see what the future holds for this rising star, both on and off the field.
Drake Baldwin’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Drake Randall Baldwin |
| Date of Birth | March 28, 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | Missouri State University (General Business Major) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’0″ (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 210 lbs (95 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2022 (Drafted by Atlanta Braves, 3rd Round, 96th Overall) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $800,000 |
| Salary | $760,000 |
| Career Earnings | $1,395,800 (estimated, including signing bonus) |
| Wife/Girlfriend | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @drakerbaldwin |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Drake Baldwin grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where he attended Madison West High School. He was a standout athlete, excelling in both baseball and ice hockey. As a junior, he led the state in hockey with 43 goals, showing his athletic versatility and competitive spirit. Despite his talent on the ice, Baldwin’s passion for baseball ultimately won out. He was known for his strong arm and leadership behind the plate, traits that would later define his career as a catcher.
After high school, Baldwin enrolled at Missouri State University. He played college baseball for the Missouri State Bears, where he quickly made an impact. His freshman season in 2020 was cut short due to the pandemic, but he still managed to play in 17 games, gaining valuable experience.
In his sophomore year, Baldwin played 43 games and batted .291, hitting four home runs and driving in 24 runs. That summer, he joined the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League, where he continued to impress by batting .316 with four home runs over 52 games.
Baldwin’s junior year at Missouri State was a breakout season. He played 60 games, hit .341, and smashed 19 home runs with 70 RBIs. His on-base percentage was an impressive .448, and he reached base safely in 57 out of 60 games.
This performance tied him for seventh on Missouri State’s single-season RBI list and made him one of the top college catchers in the country. Scouts took notice of his powerful bat, advanced approach at the plate, and reliable defense. By the end of the season, Baldwin had established himself as a strong prospect for the MLB draft.
Professional Career
Drake Baldwin’s professional journey began when the Atlanta Braves selected him with the 96th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He signed with the Braves and started his career in the minor leagues, splitting his first season between rookie ball and Single-A. In his debut year, Baldwin batted .258 with a .711 OPS, showing flashes of the talent that had made him a top college prospect.
The 2023 season marked Baldwin’s first full year in professional baseball, and he made significant strides. He began the year with the High-A Rome Braves, where he played 92 games and hit 14 home runs. Notably, he improved his consistency at the plate and reduced his strikeout rate from 21.8% to 20.7%.
His performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Mississippi, where he continued to develop. In 14 games at Double-A, Baldwin batted .321 with a .786 OPS and further lowered his strikeout rate to 18.6%. He capped off the year with a brief three-game stint at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he hit a home run.
Baldwin’s breakout continued in 2024. He started the season in Double-A but quickly moved up to Triple-A Gwinnett. Over 72 games in Triple-A, he batted .298 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs, drawing almost as many walks (52) as strikeouts (54).
Across all levels in 2024, Baldwin played 124 games, hit .276, and drove in 88 runs with 16 home runs. His offensive numbers surged despite facing tougher competition, and his improved walk rate highlighted his disciplined approach at the plate.
His strong minor league performance did not go unnoticed. Baldwin was named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America in 2024 and was selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game, where he hit a home run.
He also earned several awards, including SAL Player of the Week, SAL Post-Season All-Star, and MiLB.com Organization All-Star honors. His steady rise through the Braves’ system made him one of the organization’s top prospects.
In spring training 2025, Baldwin’s hard work paid off. With Braves’ starting catcher Sean Murphy sidelined due to injury, Baldwin seized the opportunity and made the Opening Day roster.
He made his MLB debut on March 27, 2025, catching for reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale. Baldwin’s debut was a proud moment for him and his family, especially his mother, who is a schoolteacher in Wisconsin.
Drake Baldwin’s Net Worth Details
Drake Baldwin’s net worth is estimated to be $800,000 as of 2025.
Contract
Drake Baldwin is currently playing under a standard rookie contract with the Atlanta Braves for the 2025 MLB season. His contract is valued at $760,000 for the year and is fully guaranteed, reflecting the typical salary structure for players at his experience level in the major leagues.
Since he is still in the early stages of his MLB career and has not yet reached arbitration eligibility, Baldwin’s contract is determined by the league’s pre-arbitration scale, which sets salaries for young players based on service time and team discretion.
As Baldwin continues to prove himself on the field, he will become eligible for higher salaries and longer-term contracts through arbitration and potential free agency in the future.
Salary
For the 2025 MLB season, Drake Baldwin is earning a salary of $760,000 as a member of the Atlanta Braves. This amount is set according to the league’s pre-arbitration salary structure, which applies to players in the early years of their major league careers.
Baldwin’s salary reflects his current status as a young, promising player who has recently made the jump to the majors. As he gains more experience and service time, he will become eligible for salary increases through arbitration, which could significantly boost his earnings in the coming years.
Career Earnings
| Year | Age | Team | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 21 | Atlanta Braves | $0 | $633,300 | $633,300 | $633,300 |
| 2025 | 24 | Atlanta Braves | $760,000 | $0 | $760,000 | $1,393,300 |
MLB Career Stats
| Year | Games | At Bats (AB) | Runs (R) | Hits (H) | Home Runs (HR) | Runs Batted In (RBI) | Stolen Bases (SB) | Batting Average (AVG) | On-Base Percentage (OBP) | Slugging Percentage (SLG) | On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 52 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | .328 | .404 | .732 |
FAQs
1. Who is Drake Baldwin?
Drake Baldwin is an American professional baseball catcher who plays for the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball. He was born on March 28, 2001, in Madison, Wisconsin, and made his MLB debut with the Braves on March 27, 2025. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.
2. Where did Drake Baldwin play college baseball?
Drake Baldwin played college baseball at Missouri State University. During his junior season, he had a standout year, hitting .341 with 19 home runs and 70 runs batted in over 60 games, which helped him become a strong MLB draft prospect.
3. When was Drake Baldwin drafted and by which team?
Drake Baldwin was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, with the 96th overall pick. His strong college performance and potential as a catcher made him a notable selection for the Braves.
4. What are Drake Baldwin’s MLB stats for the 2025 season?
Drake Baldwin has played 15 games, with 52 at-bats, a batting average of .250, 2 home runs, 6 runs batted in, and an OPS of .732. These numbers reflect his early contributions as a rookie catcher for the Braves.
5. What was Drake Baldwin’s path through the minor leagues?
After being drafted in 2022, Baldwin played in rookie ball and Single-A, then progressed to High-A in 2023, where he hit 14 home runs in 92 games. He was promoted to Double-A, performed well, and finished 2023 with a brief stint in Triple-A before joining the Braves’ MLB roster in 2025.
6. What awards and honors has Drake Baldwin received in his career?
Drake Baldwin has earned several honors, including being named the South Atlantic League (SAL) Player of the Week in August 2023, a SAL Post-Season All-Star in 2023, a MiLB.com Organization All-Star for the Braves in 2023, and a Futures Game selection in 2024.
7. What is Drake Baldwin’s background in sports besides baseball?
In high school at Madison West in Wisconsin, Drake Baldwin played both baseball and ice hockey. As a junior, he led the state with 43 goals in hockey, playing as a center and left wing, demonstrating his athletic versatility before focusing on baseball in college.
8. How did Drake Baldwin perform in the minor leagues?
During his minor league career, Baldwin played 957 games, batting .272 with 32 home runs, 158 runs batted in, and an OPS of .807. His consistent improvement, especially in power and plate discipline, helped him rise quickly through the Braves’ farm system.
9. What jersey number does Drake Baldwin wear for the Atlanta Braves?
Drake Baldwin currently wears jersey number 30 for the Atlanta Braves. He previously wore number 42 for a brief period in April 2025 before switching to his current number.
10. What notable achievements did Drake Baldwin have in college baseball?
At Missouri State, Baldwin’s junior year was particularly impressive, as he hit .341 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs in 60 games. His performance established him as one of the top college catchers in the nation and led to his selection in the MLB Draft.
