Drake Baldwin could cement his place in Braves history.
The Atlanta Braves are seeing an electric start from Drake Baldwin, and it has already placed the young rising star alongside one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Baldwin, now in his second MLB season, has picked up right where he left off after a breakout 2025 campaign that earned him National League Rookie of the Year honors. His early production has been a major bright spot for Atlanta as the team looks to establish momentum early in the year and make a return to the MLB playoffs.
Through his first six games, Baldwin has been outstanding at the plate, hitting .318 with a .423 on‑base percentage and 1.196 OPS, along with three home runs and seven RBIs. His ability to get on base and generate offense has quickly made him one of the most impactful hitters in the Braves lineup.
That production has also translated into a historic run to begin the season. “Drake Baldwin has scored a run in each of the Braves first six games. The last Brave with a longer streak to begin a season was back in 1957 when Hall of Famer Hank Aaron scored a run in seven straight,” reported Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
To be mentioned alongside Hank Aaron is significant, considering his legacy as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Baldwin will now have an opportunity to match or surpass that mark in Thursday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Beyond the milestone, Baldwin’s role within the team continues to grow. While Sean Murphy is expected to return at some point, Baldwin has already established himself as a key part of Atlanta’s present and future.
Even when Murphy is back, Baldwin’s bat is strong enough that he could remain in the lineup regularly, potentially seeing time at designated hitter to keep his offensive production in play.
At just 25 years old, Baldwin is under team control through 2031, making him a cornerstone piece for the organization moving forward. Since being selected in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft, he has steadily developed into one of the most promising young players in the game.
If this early stretch is any indication, Baldwin is not only building on last year’s success but also elevating his game to another level. For the Braves, that could have a major impact on their ability to compete at a high level throughout the 2026 season.