ATLANTA -- Drake Baldwin has a chance to become just the second Braves catcher to be named Rookie of the Year.
Baldwin was named one of the finalists for the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday night. The other two finalists are Cubs pitcher Cade Horton and Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin.
Voting for this award was done by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The winner will be announced on MLB Network on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET.
Baldwin hit .274 with 19 home runs and a .810 OPS. His 3.1 fWAR led NL rookies. Not bad for a 24-year-old catcher who came to Spring Training thinking he might need to spend a couple more months at the Triple-A level.
With Sean Murphy starting the season on the injured list because of a fractured rib, Baldwin proudly accepted the honor of being Atlanta’s Opening Day catcher. He then gave the Braves no choice but to keep him at the big league level, even after Murphy returned during the regular season’s second full week.
Baldwin was at his best in May, generating a 1.003 OPS over 56 plate appearances. But his consistent production is what stood out. His ability to make necessary adjustments throughout the season helped Baldwin produce an .800-plus OPS during each of the regular season’s final three months.
Baldwin’s 19 home runs rank as the second-highest total in a single season from by a Braves rookie catcher. Earl Williams set the record with 33 homers en route to being named the 1971 NL Rookie of the Year.