The Atlanta Braves’ decision to activate 2023 All-Star Sean Murphy off the injured list wasn’t surprising, but the player he replaced on the roster raised some eyebrows. Top prospect and fellow catcher Drake Baldwin will remain with the team, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
On Sunday, the Braves designated Chadwick Tromp for assignment, choosing to keep Baldwin in the clubhouse instead. Baldwin’s early struggles at the plate—hitting just .154 in 29 plate appearances—along with the fact that Murphy is a former Gold Glove winner, made a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett seem likely. However, the Braves are showing patience with the No. 60 prospect in baseball.
Murphy, who is recovering from a rib fracture sustained during spring training, will be making his season debut. Manager Brian Snitker may prefer to ease Murphy back into action due to the physical demands of the catcher position and his injury history. This cautious approach allows Baldwin to continue his development at the major league level.
However, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos could soon face a tough decision. Once Murphy regains his rhythm both at the plate and behind the plate, it might become less feasible to keep Baldwin on the active roster. Young prospects need consistent playing time to adjust to the majors, but what happens when they’re competing with a veteran catcher like Murphy, who is signed for several years and earning $15 million annually?
