Atlanta Braves rookie Drake Baldwin burst onto the scene in 2025 and put the entire league on notice. No one expected him to be one of the cornerstones of the offense last season, but he didn't just stick around after making the team out of spring training. He excelled.
Baldwin didn't get much choice in the matter, as he became the starting catcher on Opening Day after Sean Murphy fractured a rib early in spring training. Baldwin didn't look like a rookie at the plate, as he had some of the best plate discipline and bat speed on the team.