Baseball insider tips breakout Braves star to overtake Cal Raleigh and become ‘MLB’s top catcher’
There is no doubt across the league that the Atlanta Braves have one of the best rosters in MLB.
The Braves have a solid amount of great players, who all can make claims to be the best at their respective positions.
Chris Sale is two-years off winning a Cy Young award, Ronald Acuna Jr. is a superstar outfielder, and Matt Olsen is one of the best all-around first baseman in baseball.
Austin Riley and Ozzie Ablies are also great when healthy, but there is a particular player The Athletic’s Eno Sarris is predicting to have a big year.
“Drake Baldwin emerges as MLB’s top catcher,” Sarris wrote, in his 10-bold predictions ahead of the 2026 season.
“This guy does everything right. Seriously, Baldwin does not have an obvious flaw. The 24-year-old Atlanta Braves catcher has pristine peripherals.
“OK, he’s not the greatest defender, rating a little below average by most metrics, including framing.
“But, you know who else was a below-average defender with mediocre framing stats in his first season in the big leagues? Cal Raleigh.”
Baldwin being tipped to have a good season in 2026 is hardly an eye-opening remark. But for Sarris to predict he will be the best at his position by the end of the year is.
The 24-year-old posted a .274 batting average, with 19 home runs, 80 walks and just 68 strikeouts in 405 at-bats while splitting time with Sean Murphy behind the dish.
He would receive 21/30 first-place votes to take home National League Rookie of the Year honors.
The Braves suffered mightily with the injury bug in 2025, finishing with a 76-86 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Baldwin often felt like the only glimmer of hope in what was a disappointing year for the Braves, but Sarris’ claim has turned heads.
There is no wonder why he called it a bold prediction. Raleigh, who dons the Seattle Mariners uniform, had arguably the best offensive season by a catcher in MLB history in 2025.
Catcher has often been an offensively challenged position, given the physical demand and the emphasis on defense. But Raleigh smashed those norms out of the ballpark, literally.
The 28-year-old posted 7.4 WAR, a .247 batting average, 60, yes that’s not a typo, home runs and 125 RBI’s.
49 of those big-flies came while he was behind the plate, the remaining 11 as a designated hitter.
His home run total smashed the previous record of 43, set by Braves catcher Javy Lopez in 2003.
Raleigh participated in the WBC with Team USA, and went hitless throughout the tournament, and also received backlash for refusing to shake Randy Arozerena’s hand.
While he may not reach the 60 mark again, he is still projected to be around the 40 mark, an astonishing offensive projection from such an important position.
As for Baldwin, the claim is likely to light a fire under him and the Braves, who have already lost outfielder Jurickson Profar for the season as a result of his second PED-suspension.
It’s a very bold prediction, one which the Braves front office, and fans, will hope comes true.
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