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Among Braves breakout candidates this season, there isn’t one more exciting than top prospect Drake Baldwin, who FanGraphs recently ranked the 11th best prospect in all of baseball.
The former third-round selection out of Missouri State in the 2022 MLB Draft got off to a bit of a slow start in Mississippi last season, but he’s not the first to experience down numbers in the Southern League. Once Baldwin got the call to Gwinnett, everything changed.
In 72 games for the Stripers, he hit a hair under .300 with 12 homers and 26 total extra-base hits to go along with 55 RBIs. However, what might be most impressive is that he did all of this while walking (52 times) nearly as much as he struck out (54 times).
Offensively, Drake Baldwin is a complete product. He’s not the most powerful guy, standing at just 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, but he can drive the ball to all fields effortlessly and should become a 20-30 homer guy at the major-league level. As a catcher, who has improved significantly defensively, there aren’t many that possess that kind of ability with the stick, especially considering Baldwin doesn’t give up contact for that power.
In another organization, Baldwin might be included on the Opening Day roster. His bat is major-league ready today and could certainly help any team lead to more wins. The problem the Braves have to start this season is managing his playing time.
Atlanta felt comfortable parting ways with Travis d’Arnaud, in part because they believe Sean Murphy will perform better with fewer off-days. At least, that is what his track record suggests dating back to his days in Oakland. The Braves invested a ton into Murphy when they traded for him a couple of offseasons ago and handed him a long-term extension. Even after a piss-poor 2024 campaign, they aren’t just going to give up on him.
Drake Baldwin is clearly the second-best catcher in the organization today, but the Braves aren’t going to start him in Atlanta so he can catch a couple of times a week behind Sean Murphy. To begin the season, it’s best Baldwin continues to get as many reps as possible to develop, both offensively and defensively.
However, eventually, whether he forces the Braves’ hand or an injury arises, his time will come in 2025, and if he hits in Atlanta like he has in Gwinnett, Sean Murphy’s days as the starting catcher may be numbered.
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Yankees not close to done adding ahead of trade deadline
The New York Yankees already made headlines by acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. That may not be their only move ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Yankees have an extensive shopping list. While a right-handed hitting infielder is a priority, New York is also looking for help in the rotation and bullpen. Acquiring McMahon may have contributed to the push for a right-handed hitting infielder. McMahon has struggled against left-handed pitching throughout his career, posting a .231/.307/.378 batting line in 1,079 plate appearances, hitting 34 homers and 35 doubles. Those struggles have been even more pronounced this year. McMahon is slashing .207/.289/.310 in 97 plate appearances against southpaws, with two homers and three doubles. Kirschner specifically listed Minnesota Twins utility man Willi Castro as someone the Yankees are targeting, whose career .260/.306/.399 batting line in 689 plate appearances against lefties would make him a solid complement to McMahon. Likewise, the club's pursuit of pitching makes sense. Marcus Stroman has been much better since returning from the injured list at the end of June, but he cannot be considered a reliable option. Rookie Will Warren has been inconsistent, and with Clarke Schmidt likely lost until 2027 due to Tommy John surgery, the rotation needs work. New York's relief corps may be further down the team's needs. While every contending team looks to bolster the bullpen ahead of the trade deadline, the Yanks' upgrades could come from within. Relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. are expected back in August, while fellow reliever Yerry De los Santos was activated from the IL on Saturday. The Yankees still have a lot of work to do ahead of the trade deadline. It could be a busy next few days in the Bronx.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Aaron Rodgers’ True Colors Revealed at Training Camp After Offering Olive Branch to Terry Bradshaw
When Aaron Rodgers appeared at the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2025, he was in the middle of a storm. The storm of rumors, speculations, and predictions was everywhere when no one knew if and when he was going to land in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. That was the time when, among many critics and opinions, the Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw made a shocking statement about the free agent quarterback, to which Rodgers gave an answer recently. But, before learning about Bradshaw’s comment and Rodgers’ answer to it, let’s focus on how the Steelers insider revealed the true colors of the Steelers QB. The 41-year-old QB finally signed a one-year, $13,650,000 deal with the franchise. And days ago, he also started practicing at his 21st NFL training camp, out of which 18 were with the Packers and two with the Jets. During this training camp, a reporter who closely covers the Steelers’ training camp wrote an unexpected note on Rodgers’ real nature. Steelers Reporter Unpacked Aaron Rodgers’ True Nature Mark Kaboly, a well-known insider of the franchise, has been covering the Steelers from day one of the training camp. He generally posts about the on-field happenings when he covers the training camp, but on July 26, he went off the track for an important revelation- he talked about Rodgers. Kaboly wrote, “I’ve talked to Aaron Rodgers a couple of times since he signed, and in every encounter, he comes across as a personable and down-to-earth guy,” Kaboly said. And also added, “I always have and always will say that you need to make your own decisions about people and not what other people might say about a person.” Kaboly might be referring to those people and their comments against whom Rodgers calmly fought. He had also dodged one of the verbal shots from Steelers legend Bradshaw when Rodgers’ possibility was coming on the floor for the first time. But after the four-time Super Bowl winner’s harsh words to Rodgers, recently, the 41-year-old QB still offered Bradshaw an olive branch. Rodgers Showed a Unique Gesture to Terry Bradshaw’s Critical Comment When Rodgers was rumored as the Steelers QB two months ago, Bradshaw said, “What are you gonna do? Bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me? … That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there.” He had also called the then-rumors a “joke”. But Rodgers hasn’t spared the comment live on air and replied to it. Rodgers, after coming to the Steelers locker room and starting training camp, said on July 26, “I’ve known Terry for a long time, being a part of Fox. Terry’s a legend. He’s an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He’s had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me.” Rodgers continued, “And, so, he’s got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I’ve done, the documentary, what I’ve said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about. I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level. I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we’d have a good friendship.” And finally said, “So, I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he’s open to it. And maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the hell he’s talking about together.” Aaron Rodgers showed maturity while receiving the harsh comments and also showed patience in giving a tight yet respectful reply. There is a reason why Rodgers is admired even after 21 years in the league.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
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