ATLANTA – Drake Baldwin celebrated his 25th birthday on Saturday surrounded by friends and family who traveled in from the Midwest to watch the Atlanta Braves open their season against the Kansas City Royals.
With loved ones in attendance, the stakes felt a little higher – and Baldwin delivered. He launched two home runs – one on Opening Day and one more on Sunday – making the moment even more memorable.
RELATED: Drake Baldwin homers, but Braves can’t complete sweep of Royals
Now, Baldwin has one more celebration in store — this time for his 2025 NL Rookie of the Year campaign, during which he hit .274 with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs. To top it off, he’s getting his own bobblehead.
In addition to Baldwin, first baseman Matt Olson and utilityman Mauricio Dubón — who played in the AL last year — are receiving their respective Gold Glove Awards. Ronald Acuña Jr. is also receiving his NL Comeback Player of the Year award.
#Braves catcher Drake Baldwin presented with the NL ROY award. In addition, it’s also his bobblehead night.
He told me that his mom and grandparents, who flew in from Wisconsin and have been in attendance throughout the homestand, are “fired up” about the bobblehead. pic.twitter.com/N7I2ufLSKF
— Aaron Schmidt (@AaronTSchmidt) March 31, 2026
But it’s been quite a stretch for the 25-year-old Wisconsin native.
He’s all smiles. Perhaps more so regarding the bobblehead.
Who wouldn’t be?
“(The bobblehead) is the first thing that came to fruition after the Rookie of the Year stuff. I was like, ‘Oh, this is sweet.’” Baldwin told Atlanta News First. “I know a lot of people are coming for the bobbleheads. My mom, grandparents are all fired up about it.
“But they just like to see me go out there and have fun, which I think is the biggest thing about all this. And it ends up having you play the best.”
Not only is Baldwin leading the team with two homers through its first four games, but he’s also hitting the ball hard. He’s gunning for the opposite of the infamous sophomore slump.
A sophomore surge, perhaps.
Baldwin currently ranks in the top 10% of MLB hitters in max exit velocity, one of several indicators reinforcing the Braves’ belief that he’s their catcher of the future. And at 3–1, Atlanta is off to a far better start than in 2025, when the team opened 0–7 and never fully recovered.
“Starting 0-7 was just, no matter how hard you try and keep the spirits up, it just feels a little different,” Baldwin said. “You just feel that extra energy when you’re 3-1. A lot of extra energy. It’s much easier to have fun. A couple bounces here and there. You’re playing good baseball. You’re swinging it. Pitchers have been really good. We’re trying to keep it rolling.
“It’s been a lot of fun so far.”
On the mound, Chris Sale and Bryce Elder combined for 12 scoreless innings across their starts, while Reynaldo López allowed just one run on Saturday. As a result, the Braves own a 1.50 ERA. That’s the second lowest in baseball.
Manager Walt Weiss has tabbed left-hander José Suárez to start Tuesday against the Athletics. Behind the plate? The reigning Rookie of the Year.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
How to watch Braves on Gray
The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through Braves on Gray local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.
For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.
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