ATLANTA -- Drake Baldwin's first MLB plate appearance in nearly a month resulted in the longest home run hit this season.
Baldwin crushed a 473-foot leadoff homer against Giants starter Adrian Houser on Tuesday night at Truist Park before the game was suspended in the bottom of the second inning with the Braves trailing 3-2. This was the Braves catcher’s first plate appearance since he strained his right oblique muscle against the Marlins on May 18.
"That's not easy to do, take a month off, or whatever -- and with his first swing, literally the first one, he hit it 473 feet," Braves manager Walt Weiss said. "Some guys are just different. Drake's different."
Baldwin’s 14th home run of the season and third of the leadoff variety, landed in the shrubbery located far beyond the center-field wall. A’s teammates Nick Kurtz (471 feet on Friday in Las Vegas) and Shea Langeliers (467 on April 12 in Sacramento) entered Tuesday as the only big leaguers to hit a 463-plus foot homer this year.
Baldwin was activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday afternoon, just a couple hours after the first 2026 KONAMI eBaseball All-Star Ballot update showed him as the leader among National League catchers.
The Braves outrighted Austin Wynns to Triple-A Gwinnett to create a roster spot. Baldwin will resume his duties as Atlanta’s primary catcher, with Sandy León serving as his backup.
Baldwin, who serves as the designated hitter when he’s not catching, entered play Tuesday hitting .303 with 13 homers and a .932 OPS. His return already appears to be a big boost for the Braves, who have lost four of their last five games. Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a hamstring strain during the first of those five games.