Braves Face Tough Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin Decision Ahead of Season

Rookie catcher Baldwin's emergence challenges veteran Albies' spot in Braves' lineup

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:03pm

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The Atlanta Braves must decide whether to bat veteran second baseman Ozzie Albies or rookie catcher Drake Baldwin second in the lineup ahead of the 2026 MLB season. Albies has historically occupied the #2 spot, but his production has declined in recent years, while Baldwin had a standout rookie campaign in 2025 and has strong splits against left-handed pitching.

Why it matters

The Braves' decision on their second hitter could have a significant impact on the team's offensive production, especially against left-handed pitching. Albies' experience and past success give him an advantage, but Baldwin's emergence as a power-hitting catcher with a knack for hitting lefties complicates the decision.

The details

Albies has batted second for the Braves for the majority of the past few seasons, but his OPS has declined from .826 in 2023 to just .671 in 2025, which was 11% below the league average. Meanwhile, Baldwin burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2025, winning NL Rookie of the Year after hitting 19 home runs, driving in 81 runs, and posting an .810 OPS in 124 games. Baldwin has exceptional splits against left-handed pitching, posting an .818 OPS in 95 plate appearances versus southpaws last season.

  • Albies batted second against a left-handed pitcher in a Braves spring training game on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Braves manager Walt Weiss said he is "still toying" with whether Albies or Baldwin will bat second against left-handed starters in the 2026 regular season.

The players

Walt Weiss

The manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Ozzie Albies

A veteran second baseman who has batted second in the Braves' lineup for the majority of the past few seasons.

Drake Baldwin

A rookie catcher who had a standout 2025 season, winning NL Rookie of the Year, and is now challenging Albies for the second spot in the Braves' batting order.

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What they’re saying

“Walt has Albies batting second against a lefty today. He says he's still toying with whether Albies or Baldwin will bat second vs. LH starters.”

— Mark Bowman, MLB.com reporter

What’s next

The Braves will need to make a decision on their second hitter in the lineup, either sticking with the veteran Albies or going with the rising star Baldwin, as Opening Day approaches.

The takeaway

The Braves' decision on their second hitter could have a major impact on their offensive production, especially against left-handed pitching. Albies' experience gives him an advantage, but Baldwin's breakout rookie season makes him a compelling alternative as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.