In a historic moment for baseball, Braves’ catcher Drake Baldwin has shattered a 15-year drought, becoming the first catcher since 2010 to claim the prestigious Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award in the National League. This achievement not only highlights Baldwin’s exceptional talent but also places him in an elite group of catchers who have earned this honor. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: Baldwin is only the seventh catcher in NL history to win this award, joining the ranks of legends like Johnny Bench (1968), Mike Piazza (1993), and Buster Posey (2010). And this is the part most people miss—the American League has seen only three catchers take home the title: Thurman Munson (1970), Carlton Fisk (1972), and Sandy Alomar Jr. (1990).
Baldwin’s win also marks the 10th time a Braves player has been honored with this award, the second-most in the NL behind the Dodgers’ impressive 18 wins. Interestingly, the Braves’ history with this award spans cities—Alvin Dark (1948) and Sam Jethroe (1950) won it in Boston, while Atlanta has celebrated winners like Earl Williams (1971), Ronald Acuña Jr. (2018), and Michael Harris II (2022). Notably, the Braves had no Rookie of the Year winners during their Milwaukee years (1953-1965).
What sets Baldwin apart this season? He was the only player named on every single ballot, a testament to his consistent performance and impact on the field. The voting process, conducted before the postseason, uses a point system where first place earns seven points, second place four, and so on. Baldwin dominated with 183 points, outpacing competitors like Cade Horton of the Cubs (139 points) and Caleb Durbin of the Brewers (69 points).
But here’s the controversial part: while Baldwin’s win is well-deserved, some fans and analysts are debating whether catchers are underrated in Rookie of the Year considerations. After all, only 10 catchers have won across both leagues in the award’s history. Is it because catching is one of the most demanding positions, or are voters overlooking their contributions? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the 30 individual ballots, submitted by two writers from each National League city. For a deeper dive into the voting process, check out the BBWAA Voting FAQ [http://bbwaa.com/voting-faq/].
Congratulations to Drake Baldwin on this remarkable achievement—a new chapter in baseball history has been written!
