Drake Baldwin

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect in 2024
  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
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #18 prospect in 2023
  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

• Ranked #143 prospect in 2022 draft
  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.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  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.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  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.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  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.