ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Braves will get a look at their future backstop to begin the 2025 season.
Top prospect Drake Baldwin was selected for the Braves' major league roster, the team announced Friday. The team also selected right handers Enyel De Los Santos and Hector Neris.
Baldwin’s promotion to the big leagues should come as no surprise. The 23-year-old hit .313/.436/.375 in 39 plate appearances in spring training with three RBIs and seven walks.
He should fill the starting catcher role until Sean Murphy’s return from injury. Murphy suffered a fractured rib during a spring training game and could be out until mid-April.
Baldwin is currently the Braves' top prospect by most accounts, and the 62nd-ranked prospect in the league by MLB Pipeline.
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Whether or not Baldwin remains on the roster after Murphy’s return remains to be seen. The Braves recently signed veteran James McCann to a minor-league deal and may bring McCann to the majors as a backup role before sending Baldwin to Triple-A Gwinnett to receive regular playing time.
De Los Santos, 25, could be a sneaky breakout candidate. He posted a 5.20 ERA in 64 innings last year, but allowed just two runs on two hits and a walk in 6.2 innings this spring. If he keeps it up, he could return to his form in Cleveland from 2022 to 2023, when he racked up a 3.18 ERA and a 128 ERA+.
The 35-year-old Neris has a history as one of the game’s best setup men. As the eighth inning option for the 2023 Houston Astros, he allowed a 1.71 ERA and 31 holds. His track record as a closer is less impressive; he blew five saves in 17 appearances last year for the Chicago Cubs.
The Braves have Raisel Iglesias penned in as their closer, so Neris won’t face the pressure of closing out games.
The season begins March 27 in San Diego against the Padres.