Atlanta Braves catcher and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin has been on fire to begin the season. After putting together a fantastic spring, .349 average and 1.066 OPS, Baldwin’s hot start finds him neck and neck with a legend for a Braves record.
Drake Baldwin Planting Seeds of an MVP-Type Season for Braves
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman and MLB Network’s research team, Baldwin scored a run in each of the first six games played. At press time, Baldwin has scored two runs in Thursday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This streak ties Braves Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who scored seven runs in the first seven games in 1957.
During that season, Aaron would go on to win the National League MVP Award. Aaron also made his third career All-Star team and proceeded to make 18 straight more, 21 overall, between 1957 and 1975.
Aaron also led Major League Baseball in RBI (132), home runs (44), and total bases (369) in 1957.
From MLB Network’s research team:
Drake Baldwin has scored a run in each of the Braves’ first six games. The last
Brave with a longer streak to begin a season was back in 1957 when Hall of Famer Hank
Aaron scored a run in seven straight!— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 2, 2026
Though it’s early, Baldwin is making a strong case to be in the MVP conversation. Baldwin’s three home runs are the most in the National League (tied for first), his eight runs scored are second, and he is eighth in OPS (1.196).
The last catcher to win the MVP award in the National League was catcher Buster Posey. With the San Francisco Giants in 2012, Posey led MLB in batting average (.336), OPS (1.196), OPS+ (171), and led the National League in WAR (7.6).
Baldwin’s strong offensive showing and his ability as a catcher — 0 defensive runs saved behind the dish this season — give him a strong chance to win or be in the conversation.
Can He Do It?
To take down Shohei Ohtani, who is looking to win his fourth straight (third straight in the National League) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baldwin will have to put together a season like Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh did in 2025. Raleigh lost the award to the New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, despite leading MLB in home runs (60, most by a catcher) and the American League in RBI (125).
Main Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
