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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Dylan Dodd #46 of the Atlanta Braves reacts with Drake Baldwin #30 following the Braves 13-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

After winning the National League Rookie of the Year award last season with the Atlanta Braves, Drake Baldwin is putting together another stellar season and is likely on track to be named to the All-Star team in July.

Baldwin is in just his second year with the Braves, and for good reason, there is growing speculation about when Atlanta’s front office will extend Drake Baldwin to a lucrative extension. A few weeks ago, there were reports that there hadn’t been any formal talks between Baldwin’s agency team and the Braves’ front office, but as he continues to tear the cover off the ball, those ‘talks’ can materialize quickly.

Recently, via a radio appearance with 680 The Fan, Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos shared an honest message about the Drake Baldwin extension talks.

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Alex Anthopoulos Shares Drake Baldwin Message

GettyRaisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves reacts with Drake Baldwin #30 following the 6-5 victory over the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Per 680 The Fan’s X account, here is what the Braves general manager had to say about Drake Baldwin:

“Love the player. Expect to have him here a long time. Timing of those things, they vary if you’ve looked at every player we’ve signed.”

@CrosbyBaseball wrote (on May 8): “As usual, [AA] won’t discuss the Drake Baldwin extension reporting. They have him for four more seasons after this year and the first news we’ll get on an extension is if one is signed and the blue box comes out”

Drake Baldwin is already putting together a very quality season, and is a huge reason why the Braves are 26-12 this season, and have been stacking wins over NL East opponents. The starting catcher job belonged to Sean Murphy before last season, but now it’s very clearly Baldwin’s position.

My inclination is that a Drake Baldwin extension will happen at some point this season, and Alex Anthopoulos is, of course, going to be secretive of it for now.

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Drake Baldwin’s Time with the Braves

GettyDrake Baldwin has quickly become one of the best catchers in baseball. When will the Braves ink him to a contract extension? 

Drake Baldwin has officially played 162 games with the Braves. Here are his lifetime stats:

.282 batting average, 28 home runs, 110 RBI, 158 hits, 89 runs scored, OPS of .832, SLUG: .480.

He also looks to be putting together a better campaign this season than last.

In 155 at-bats and 38 games played this season, Baldwin has nine home runs, 30 RBI, and an OPS+ of 150, which puts him in the upper echelon of MLB players this season.

He’s also a very strong defensive catcher, but Atlanta is being smart with how they utilize Baldwin by giving him days where he DH’s for the team. He’s clearly one of the team’s most valuable assets, and one that Atlanta will have to protect… and also extend very soon.

They should extend Baldwin sooner rather than later before his value skyrockets. Being a premier hitter at the catcher position is very rare, especially at such a young age. Baldwin is just 25.

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