It wasn't all bad news for the Braves against the Diamondbacks.
The Atlanta Braves were defeated 6-5 by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Martin Perez surrendered four runs across five innings of work. The bullpen allowed a couple more runs and the Braves ultimately lost the contest. However, there were some encouraging takeaways from the game.
Finding encouragement following a difficult contest can prove to be a challenge. However, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Drake Baldwin provided fans with reasons for hope despite the defeat.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Bounces Back
Acuna got back on track after a slow start to the season. His overall numbers are still far from where he expects them to be, but perhaps Acuna is about to find his rhythm at the plate.
The outfielder went 2-5 against the Diamondbacks on Sunday. It was only a couple of singles for the Braves star, but his performance was unquestionably a step in the right direction.
The Braves are dealing with a plethora of starting pitching injuries. They need Acuna to play his best baseball in order to consistently win games. If Acuna is indeed close to getting back on track, the team will benefit without question.
Drake Baldwin Continues to Swing the Bat Well
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has enjoyed a stellar start to the new campaign. After going 3-4 with four RBIs and a run scored on Sunday, Baldwin is now hitting .300 to go along with a 1.003 OPS and four home runs in 2026.
It has been a tremendous start to the new campaign. He has played a crucial role in the team's early-season success.
Baldwin, 25, seems to be an emerging star. Some players struggle in their second seasons in MLB, but it seems as if Baldwin is going to be fine this year.
In 2025, he hit .274/.341/.469 across 124 games played en route to winning the NL Rookie of the Year. He added 19 home runs and 80 RBIs in what was an all-around impressive season.
The Braves clearly have their catcher of the future in Baldwin. He is establishing himself as a reliable option behind the plate. Perhaps he will earn his first All-Star selection in 2026.
The Braves may have lost to the Diamondbacks, but Ronald Acuna Jr. and Drake Baldwin had encouraging performances. Acuna, Baldwin and the Braves will now travel to Anaheim to play the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series beginning on Monday.