The Braves’ injury woes continue into 2025 as catcher Sean Murphy will miss 4-6 weeks with a cracked left rib, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It’s a frustrating setback for a team that saw virtually every position player hit the injured list during their disappointing 2024 campaign.
This isn’t just bad timing for Atlanta — it’s especially tough for Murphy himself. The 30-year-old backstop was looking to bounce back after a difficult 2024 season that began with a left oblique strain on Opening Day. He never found his rhythm, appearing in just 72 games while posting career-worst numbers across the board (.193 average, .284 OBP, .352 slugging).
Murphy’s absence creates a significant void for a pitching staff in transition. With veterans Max Fried and Charlie Morton departing via free agency, the Braves are leaning on young arms like AJ Smith-Shawver, Ian Anderson and Spencer Schwellenbach to step up. That task gets considerably harder without Murphy’s steady presence behind the plate guiding these inexperienced starters.
The silver lining? This opens the door for Drake Baldwin, MLB.com’s 63rd-ranked prospect. The 23-year-old catcher is making a compelling case for the big leagues, hitting .333 with three walks to start Grapefruit League play. Baldwin already proved he can handle Triple-A pitching last season, posting an impressive .891 OPS with nearly equal walks and strikeouts.
Veteran starter Reynaldo López has praised Baldwin’s work behind the plate, giving the youngster a crucial vote of confidence. The only hurdle is that Baldwin isn’t currently on the 40-man roster. But if he continues to impress, the Braves will have to consider him over veterans Sandy Leon, Chadwick Tromp and Curt Casali — none of whom offer much offensive upside.
While losing your starting catcher is never ideal, Baldwin’s emergence gives the Braves a potentially exciting option to bridge the gap until Murphy returns. Sometimes these unexpected opportunities create the next wave of impact players.
