The Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back in 2025 after a quiet exit from the playoffs last season. Following a string of deep playoff runs, the Braves were eliminated with a 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card series.
With spring training underway, the Braves are focused on competing in a tough NL East. Atlanta’s ace, Chris Sale, made his second appearance of the spring on Tuesday, pitching a 0-0 tie against the Minnesota Twins.
This game also marked Sale’s first time working with the Braves’ top catching prospect, Drake Baldwin. The duo performed well together, with Sale throwing four hitless innings, striking out four batters, and walking just one. After the game, Sale praised Baldwin’s performance, as reported by Harrison Smajovits of Sports Illustrated.
“Just seeing him on a day-to-day basis, it’s fun for me because I’ve been here for a little bit now – just seeing how people work, how people operate, how people interact with people,” Sale said of Baldwin. “He’s always in the weight room. He has an unbelievable work ethic. He has a great routine from what I’ve seen. He’s around all the right guys, and that’s what you want from a young guy who’s in the position to take over a very, very important position. He isn’t afraid to ask questions. He’s doing all the right things, and like I said, it looks like he’s starting to chisel out a pretty good routine for himself. Very likeable guy, too, which is great.”
Baldwin, who was drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, spent the last two seasons in the minors. Heading into 2025, he’s considered a top 65 prospect. His skills were clearly on display during Tuesday’s game.
It’s still uncertain whether Baldwin will start the regular season with the Braves, but it’s encouraging to see him working with elite pitchers early in his career, regardless of his role with the team.
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