Braves' rising star hitting ball 97.2 MPH average exit velocity as Opening Day looms

Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin is off to a torrid start this spring, raising expectations for the 2026 season.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 10:52am

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Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is coming off a stellar rookie season and has continued his hot hitting this spring, posting a .325 batting average, .997 OPS, and 2 home runs. His advanced stats are even more impressive, with a 74% hard-hit rate, 97.2 mph average exit velocity, and 23% barrel rate, putting him among the league leaders in those categories.

Why it matters

Baldwin's performance this spring suggests he could quickly cement himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the game, which would be a major boost for the Braves as they look to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

Baldwin, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, has been on an absolute tear this spring, hitting the ball with incredible authority. His 97.2 mph average exit velocity would lead all of MLB if he maintained that pace, and his hard-hit and barrel rates are also among the best in baseball. This suggests Baldwin's breakout 2025 season was no fluke, and he could be poised for an even bigger year in 2026.

  • The 2026 MLB regular season is set to begin later this week.

The players

Drake Baldwin

The 24-year-old Atlanta Braves catcher and reigning National League Rookie of the Year.

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What they’re saying

“Everything the reigning National League Rookie of the Year hits, he hits hard. Baldwin has a 74% hard-hit rate -- tied for the best of nearly 500 hitters with at least 30 Spring Training plate appearances. His average exit velocity is 97.2 mph. And his barrel rate is a superb 23% -- that means he's not just hitting the ball really hard, he's hitting the ball really hard and in the air, which is the formula for extra-base hits. The 24-year-old could quickly cement himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the game.”

— David Adler, MLB.com writer

What’s next

The Braves will be looking for Baldwin to carry his hot spring training performance into the regular season as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.

The takeaway

Drake Baldwin's torrid spring training performance, highlighted by elite exit velocity, hard-hit, and barrel rates, suggests the young Braves catcher could be poised for an even bigger 2026 season after winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2025. His continued development will be crucial to Atlanta's hopes of returning to the playoffs.