Drake Baldwin is the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year. After a stellar first year in the majors (statistically one of the best by a rookie catcher over the past half century), Baldwin earned 21 of the 3o first place votes, beating out fellow finalists Cade Horton of the Cubs and Caleb Durbin of the Brewers. It is the fifth time a Braves has won Rookie of the Year since 2000.
Of course, the added benefit of Baldwin winning the award is now the Braves have an extra pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, with some potential details below:
Add this to the 45% chance the Braves get a top 6 in the 2026 MLB Draft, and Atlanta has a tremendous opportunity to strengthen its farm system. Of course, this also could be extra incentive for the Braves to sign a significant free agent who has a qualifying offer attached to them (in which case they would lose this pick.) Or, Atlanta, knowing it can restock its farm quickly, could be even more aggressive in a potential trade. The key is Atlanta has more assets to work with in an offseason where it needed to be aggressive, so hopefully a few significant additions on the the horizon for the Braves.
Former Twins coach Tommy Watkins is expected to join the Braves coaching staff in some MLB capacity.