The Atlanta Braves find themselves at a crossroads as the 2025 season has taken a turn for the worse, leaving fans and management grappling with the future of the team. With only Spencer Strider and Grant Holmes as healthy major league starters, there is growing concern over the current roster’s performance. The lack of consistency among half the lineup is alarming and raises questions about the team’s ability to recover this season.
As the Braves consider their next steps, the focus appears to shift toward building a more competitive team for the years to come, particularly looking ahead to 2026. The upcoming trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Braves to either acquire talent or strategically let go of players, always with an eye on enhancing future draft prospects.
Currently, the Braves are positioned fourth in the odds for the top overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, suggesting they could benefit from playing for an additional high draft selection. The introduction of the Prospect Promotion Incentive in 2022 encourages teams to accelerate the promotion of their best prospects, which could benefit the Braves if they utilize Drake Baldwin effectively.
Baldwin, a top 100 prospect, has made a significant impact on the field, boasting a .274 batting average, .352 on-base percentage, and .474 slugging percentage, alongside 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. His impressive performance has placed him as a co-favorite for the National League Rookie of the Year award, alongside Jacob Misiorowski.
Despite Sean Murphy’s experience, there are increasing calls from fans for the Braves to prioritize Baldwin’s playing time, presenting a chance for the team to gather more data on his performance. Acquiring a deeper understanding of Baldwin’s capabilities could influence future roster decisions, particularly regarding Murphy’s role and potential trade.
Management faces a dual incentive to increase Baldwin’s at-bats: not only could it help secure the Rookie of the Year title, which could lead to an extra first-round pick, but it would also provide valuable insights as they navigate a reconfiguration of talent within the organization.
In light of the current struggles, there is optimism that the Braves can cultivate their existing talent and make informed decisions that will enhance their competitive standing in the seasons to come. Focusing on young prospects like Baldwin may be the key to revamping the team’s future while ensuring they remain a serious contender in Major League Baseball.