Braves Catcher Drake Baldwin Matches Hank Aaron's Early-Season Feat

Baldwin joins Braves legends in scoring in each of the team's first seven games to start the season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with overlapping shapes and planes in navy blue, red, and white, representing the dynamic energy of the sport.Drake Baldwin's early-season scoring streak places him alongside Braves icon Hank Aaron in the franchise record books.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has matched a franchise record held by Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, scoring a run in each of the team's first seven games to start the 2026 MLB season. Baldwin, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is the third player in Braves history to accomplish this feat, joining Aaron in 1957 and Jimmy Collins in 1900.

Why it matters

Baldwin's early-season scoring streak puts him in elite company alongside one of the greatest players in Braves and MLB history, Hank Aaron. This accomplishment highlights Baldwin's continued rise as a young star and the Braves' strong start to the season as they look to build on their success from last year.

The details

Baldwin scored three runs in the Braves' 17-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, including a run off a double by teammate Austin Riley in the fifth inning. This marked the seventh consecutive game to start the season in which Baldwin has scored at least one run, matching the franchise record set by Aaron in 1957 and Collins in 1900.

  • Baldwin scored a run in each of the Braves' first seven games to start the 2026 MLB season.
  • Hank Aaron accomplished the same feat in 1957.
  • Jimmy Collins previously matched the record in 1900.

The players

Drake Baldwin

The Atlanta Braves' catcher and reigning National League Rookie of the Year, who has scored a run in each of the team's first seven games to start the 2026 season.

Hank Aaron

A Braves franchise icon and one of the greatest players in MLB history, who set the record for scoring a run in the team's first seven games to start the 1957 season.

Jimmy Collins

A former Braves player who previously matched the franchise record for scoring a run in each of the team's first seven games to start the 1900 season.

Austin Riley

A Braves teammate of Drake Baldwin who hit a double that allowed Baldwin to score in the team's 17-2 victory over the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

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What they’re saying

“That's wild. I'm not even able to wrap my head around it.”

— Drake Baldwin, Braves Catcher

What’s next

Baldwin will look to extend his scoring streak to eight games, which would tie the Braves' franchise record for consecutive games with a run scored, set by Bob Horner in 1985 and Roy Hartsfield in 1950.

The takeaway

Drake Baldwin's early-season scoring streak puts him in elite company alongside Braves legend Hank Aaron, highlighting the young catcher's continued rise as a star player and the team's strong start to the 2026 season.