Since when does Drake Baldwin throw a curveball?
(Anthopoulogy is Braves Today’s running series where we step into the shoes of President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos and focus on roster questions — evaluating trade targets, internal options, lineup usage, and the cost-benefit math behind potential moves. These are shorter, focused breakdowns built around one question at a time.)
The Atlanta Braves didn’t invent the ‘low service time’ contract extension, but they’ve certainly had the most success with them.
Under Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves have given five players who were 26 or younger at the time of signing a long-term extension: Michael Harris II (22), Ozzie Albies (22), Ronald Acuña Jr. (22), Spencer Strider (24), and Austin Riley (26). Riley was the only one of the group with more than two years of service time when signing the deal.
Additionally, the Braves acquired and subsequently extended Sean Murphy and Matt Olson at age 28, Joe Jiménez at age 29 (technically a re-signing), and Chris Sale at the age of 36, as well as several shorter, ‘year-to-year’ extensions with veterans like Travis d’Arnaud and now- retired Charlie Morton.
Should reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin be the next one to sign an early-career extension? Let’s talk about it.