Sean Murphy’s Early Struggles and Drake Baldwin’s Rising Star: A Braves Dilemma
Sean Murphy’s 2024 season started off on a rough note, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance, leaving many questioning his role heading into this year. Things took another hit during Spring Training when he took a 95 MPH fastball to the ribs, sidelining him for the first week of the season. However, his return to the lineup has brought a much-needed spark to the Braves’ offense.
Murphy has already launched four home runs in just eight games, one shy of Austin Riley for the team lead. This surge is a reminder of what Murphy is capable of when healthy. But it also raises an interesting dilemma involving the Braves’ top prospect, Drake Baldwin.
Baldwin had a standout spring, and with Murphy out, it was the perfect opportunity for the Braves to give the 24-year-old a shot at major league competition. While his overall numbers don’t leap off the page, his underlying stats tell a different story — he’s been one of the unluckiest hitters in the game. With a little more fortune, Baldwin could easily be hitting over .300 with a few home runs already, and as his luck begins to turn, his potential is becoming undeniable.
Sean Murphy’Baldwin has been on a tear, logging hits in each of his last five games, including two multi-hit performances and his first home run. Over that stretch, he’s hitting .368 with an OPS over 1.000. This young player has shown he’s ready for the big leagues — it’s hard to justify keeping him in the minors any longer. The only issue is there’s no clear route to consistent playing time unless he can switch positions.
The Braves are unlikely to move on from Sean Murphy anytime soon. He’s a key part of the pitching staff’s success behind the plate, and the team heavily invested in him with a six-year, $72 million extension after acquiring him from the Athletics. When he’s hitting well, Murphy is one of the top catchers in the league.
That leaves Drake Baldwin with a tough road ahead if he wants to replace Murphy as the starting catcher. Murphy is under team control through 2029, so it’s a tall order for Baldwin to dethrone him. That gives the Braves a couple of options: trade one of them or explore a position change for Baldwin.
It’s uncertain if Baldwin can handle a defensive switch, but if there’s ever been a time to try, it’s now. The Braves’ outfield has been a disaster, with all their options performing well below expectations. While Baldwin may struggle defensively at first, his bat could be the perfect solution compared to the current outfield options.
It’s not the ideal fix, but the Braves can’t afford to rule anything out. This is the same team that once played Freddie Freeman at third base out of necessity. Don’t be shocked if Atlanta gets creative and finds a way to keep Baldwin’s bat in the lineup as the season progresses.
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