Rising Star Drake Baldwin to Rep Braves in Arizona Fall League

The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for the Arizona Fall League by sending eight promising players, including Drake Baldwin, from their minor league system to represent the team. These players will be suiting up for the Peoria Javelinas, joining prospects from the Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners. The Fall League, running from Oct. 7 to Nov. 14, is a prime opportunity for these players to sharpen their skills and make an impression.

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Leading the Braves group is catcher Drake Baldwin, one of the top prospects in the organization. Braves #5 prospect Baldwin had an outstanding 2024 season, which earned him the honor of Braves' Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. Across 72 games at Triple-A, Baldwin posted a solid .298 batting average with an impressive .891 OPS, smacking 12 home runs and driving in 55 runs. His consistent play and ability to produce offensively have set him up as a key player to watch in Peoria.

Joining Baldwin are three other top prospects from the Braves system. David McCabe, the team's No. 13 prospect, had a challenging year. He missed a chunk of the season due to an injury and struggled at the plate once he returned, managing a .137 batting average and .498 OPS in 32 games at Double-A Mississippi. Despite the rough stretch, McCabe's participation in the Fall League is a chance for him to bounce back and regain his form.

On the mound, the Braves will be sending Adam Maier, ranked as the No. 17 prospect, and lefty Hayden Harris, who comes in at No. 27. Maier, pitching in his first full professional season, had to battle through an elbow and oblique injury that kept him sidelined for nearly two years.

His performance picked up at High-A Rome, where he posted a 3.38 ERA in six starts, striking out 21 batters across 26 2/3 innings. Harris, meanwhile, impressed at Double-A Mississippi with a stingy 1.74 ERA over 19 appearances. However, he encountered some struggles after being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, where his ERA ballooned to 7.36 in 22 outings.

In addition to these headliners, the Braves are also sending right-handers Ryan Bourassa, Isaac Gallegos, Landon Harper, and third baseman Drew Compton to round out their contingent. All of them will be looking to take advantage of the Fall League's high level of competition to continue their development.

The Arizona Fall League is always an exciting showcase of baseball's future stars, and for these Braves prospects, it's a chance to demonstrate their potential on a bigger stage. With games being held at the Peoria Sports Complex and the Spring Training facility for the Padres and Mariners, these players will be competing against some of the top minor league talent from across the league. For Drake Baldwin and the rest of the Braves representatives, it's a golden opportunity to shine before the eyes of scouts and coaches as they continue their path to the big leagues.