From Wisconsin hockey standout to Major League Baseball's Rookie of the Year
In short: Before he was anchoring the Atlanta Braves' defense behind the plate, Drake Baldwin was a scoring force on the ice. His rapid ascent from a high school hockey star to an MLB All-Star is a masterclass in athletic versatility and professional precision.
Drake Baldwin’s journey to professional baseball began with a multi-sport foundation in Madison, Wisconsin. While attending Madison West High School, he was not only a baseball player but a dominant force in ice hockey. In 2018, during his junior year, he led the entire state of Wisconsin in scoring with 43 goals, playing both as a center and a left wing.
His transition to elite baseball took him to Missouri State University, where his performance steadily climbed. After a brief 17-game stint in 2020, he posted a .316 average with the Madison Mallards in 2021. By his junior year in 2022, he had emerged as a premier draft prospect, recording 19 home runs and 70 runs batted in over a 60-game span.
The Atlanta Braves recognized this potential, selecting him 96th overall in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft. Baldwin navigated the minor league ranks through various levels, including the Rome, Mississippi, and Gwinnett affiliates, before making his Major League debut on Opening Day in 2025. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular; he slashed .274/.341/.469 with 19 home runs, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year award on November 10, 2025.
Baldwin has since cemented his place among the league's elite. Following his historic rookie campaign, he earned his first All-Star selection in 2026, a season in which he hit 25 home runs and made his first postseason appearance during the National League Wild Card Series.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Drake Baldwin
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