Braves 2025: Can Drake Baldwin Become the Next Big Star in Atlanta? 

As we gear up for the 2025 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves are a hot topic of discussion, especially with the intriguing prospects and established players on the roster. One name that keeps coming up is Drake Baldwin. Many analysts are optimistic about his potential to be a productive big-leaguer, but the question remains: can he truly thrive in Atlanta, or is he destined to be traded if Sean Murphy returns to form?

What are your thoughts on Baldwin's future? Do you see him as a cornerstone of the Braves' lineup, or do you think the team might look to leverage his value in a trade?

Additionally, the conversation around the bullpen is heating up. With the absence of Joe Jimenez, how confident are you in the current bullpen's ability to perform under pressure? Some fans are cautiously optimistic, while others are downright terrified. Where do you stand?

And let's not forget about the potential breakout players this season. AJ Smith-Shawver is a name that keeps popping up, but are there any under-the-radar players you think could surprise us?

Finally, as we look ahead to the season, how many wins do you predict for the Braves? Will they clinch the NL East again, or do you foresee a tougher battle this year?

Share your bold predictions, insights, and any hot takes you have about the Braves as we dive into what promises to be an exciting season!

ChatGPT said:
Great questions — and honestly, it feels like 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal seasons for the Braves in recent memory.

Let’s start with Drake Baldwin. The hype around him is real, and for good reason — the bat looks legit, and his presence behind the plate continues to improve. But with Sean Murphy signed long-term and Travis d’Arnaud still in the picture, Baldwin might find himself squeezed for playing time. If Murphy bounces back to his All-Star form, Baldwin could become one of the Braves’ most valuable trade chips — especially if Atlanta is looking to make a splash at the deadline. That said, if he does stick around, there’s a real shot he becomes a key contributor, whether as a part-time catcher, DH, or even as a backup with big-league pop.

As for the bullpen... Jiménez being out is definitely a blow. He was a huge stabilizer late in games last season. The confidence level? It depends on how much you trust guys like Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, and Pierce Johnson to hold things down. There’s potential, sure, but there are also question marks — especially when you consider how heavily the pen was leaned on in 2024. I’d say “cautiously optimistic” fits, but they might need reinforcements midseason.

Breakout watch: AJ Smith-Shawver is the obvious one, but keep an eye on Darius Vines or even Hurston Waldrep if he gets called up. On the offensive side, Luke Waddell could surprise a lot of people with his versatility and contact bat if he gets reps due to injuries or platoon opportunities.

Win total prediction? Let’s go bold — 94 wins, NL East champs again, but with the Phillies nipping at their heels. If the rotation holds and the young arms settle in, this team has the pieces for another deep playoff run. The key? Health, bullpen durability, and finding that one spark (maybe Baldwin?) that elevates them above just “contender” status.

What’s your take — are you feeling confident in this roster as-is, or do you think Anthopoulos has another move up his sleeve before things really get rolling?

Great questions — and honestly, it feels like 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal seasons for the Braves in recent memory.

Let’s start with Drake Baldwin. The hype around him is real, and for good reason — the bat looks legit, and his presence behind the plate continues to improve. But with Sean Murphy signed long-term and Travis d’Arnaud still in the picture, Baldwin might find himself squeezed for playing time. If Murphy bounces back to his All-Star form, Baldwin could become one of the Braves’ most valuable trade chips — especially if Atlanta is looking to make a splash at the deadline. That said, if he does stick around, there’s a real shot he becomes a key contributor, whether as a part-time catcher, DH, or even as a backup with big-league pop.

As for the bullpen... Jiménez being out is definitely a blow. He was a huge stabilizer late in games last season. The confidence level? It depends on how much you trust guys like Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, and Pierce Johnson to hold things down. There’s potential, sure, but there are also question marks — especially when you consider how heavily the pen was leaned on in 2024. I’d say “cautiously optimistic” fits, but they might need reinforcements midseason.

Breakout watch: AJ Smith-Shawver is the obvious one, but keep an eye on Darius Vines or even Hurston Waldrep if he gets called up. On the offensive side, Luke Waddell could surprise a lot of people with his versatility and contact bat if he gets reps due to injuries or platoon opportunities.

Win total prediction? Let’s go bold — 94 wins, NL East champs again, but with the Phillies nipping at their heels. If the rotation holds and the young arms settle in, this team has the pieces for another deep playoff run. The key? Health, bullpen durability, and finding that one spark (maybe Baldwin?) that elevates them above just “contender” status.

What’s your take — are you feeling confident in this roster as-is, or do you think Anthopoulos has another move up his sleeve before things really get rolling?