What else do the Atlanta Braves need to see to put Drake Baldwin in the everyday lineup? The hitter's incredible performance is demanding that the Braves figure out how to make this happen. Baldwin was the driving offensive force behind Atlanta finally reaching .500, with the catcher going 3/4, scoring three runs, and driving in two runs. This pushed the rookie's average to .329 and included an impressive homer that brought Atlanta's lineup to life.
Having Drake Baldwin in the starting lineup makes this offense feel entirely different. As valuable as Sean Murphy's defensive skillset and power might be, the Braves are better off with Baldwin starting. The only other possible answer is if Atlanta believes Baldwin is capable of playing another position. However, this has the obvious downside of putting defensive pressure on a rookie who is currently thriving.
The Atlanta Braves Must Do Whatever it Takes to Keep Drake Baldwin's Bat in the Starting Lineup
The Braves could explore trading Sean Murphy is one potential solution the team could consider. While keeping both catchers is enticing, it is hard to have either player consistently on the bench. This is especially the case when your roster is facing a myriad of depth concerns.
Using Murphy to improve their depth and starting Baldwin or finding a new position for the Atlanta catcher are the only clear paths. While the team could simply bench Murphy, this seems unlikely considering the team's level of investment.
Putting Baldwin in the DH spot would require the team to put Marcell Ozuna in left field. At Ozuna's age, this is hardly a legitimate option if Atlanta wants to maintain a consistent defense. With this in mind, Atlanta's options are limited in a quickly growing problem that the team must answer.
No matter what path they choose to take, it is incredibly clear that Drake Baldwin needs to start. In an incredibly frustrating 2025 season, Baldwin is one of the few truly great stories to emerge thus far. For this to continue, the rookie needs a more consistent level of at-bats the Braves must become creative to provide. In a season of consistent letdowns, it is a rare welcome problem.