Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker shared his early impressions from Spring Training of the organization’s top prospect.
During the offseason, Atlanta Braves fans noticed Drake Baldwin as a potential trade partner for an established MLB player. However, this is rapidly changing.
The excitement surrounding the organization’s top prospect is building by the day at Spring Training. Over the weekend, MLB critics at Braves camp enthused about Baldwin’s appearance.
On February 17, The Athletic’s David O’Brien reported on reactions from Braves players and coaches to Baldwin’s early camp performance, including one from Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.
“He just keeps getting better,” Snitker told O’Brien. “I think we’ve done a really good job in developing this kid and letting him grow and mature. He’s (opened) a lot of eyes. And I just look at a guy that just continues to improve every spring, getting better with all the repetitions he’s getting.
Snitker added that he sees him thriving at the MLB level down the road.
“He’s a bright kid, and he’s got a nice future being a left-handed hitting catcher with power,” Snitker said. “And I know that the throwing’s getting better and his receiving. Guys love throwing to him. Very knowledgeable young man, too.”
Fellow Braves minor leaguers Ian Anderson and AJ Smith-Shawver were also very complementary of Baldwin while speaking to O’Brien. Anderson called Baldwin “awesome” while Smith-Shawver referred to him as “an impressive hitter to watch.”
Veteran catcher Sandy León, who signed with the Braves on a minor-league deal last year, also raved about Baldwin.
This summer, national critics argued that Atlanta’s top prospect, Baldwin, could be expendable, given Sean Murphy’s potential return in 2025. Murphy is 30 years old with four years left on his six-year, $73 million contract. Murphy also has club options for the 2029 season.
However, it is becoming evident very early in Spring Training why the Braves are unlikely to consider trading Baldwin. On February 5, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicted Baldwin would be a fixture in Atlanta’s lineup by the All-Star break.
The way Baldwin’s hype train is going, maybe it will be sooner. It’s been less than a week of Spring Training, but no one with the Braves has arguably received more attention early in camp than Baldwin.
