From Ice to Diamond: The Drake Baldwin Story

A Baseball Prospect's Unlikely Journey

Drake Baldwin, a name whispered with reverence among baseball insiders, is rapidly rising through the ranks. The Atlanta Braves' 23-year-old catcher, and No. 11 on our Top 100 prospects, wields a potent left-handed bat that launched 16 home runs last season, earning him a remarkable 119 wRC+ across Double-A and Triple-A. But Baldwin's path to the diamond wasn't always so clear.

Before crushing baseballs, Baldwin was a force on the ice. An All-State hockey player in Wisconsin, he lit up the scoreboard with a staggering 43 goals in his junior year and an even more impressive 46 as a senior. So why trade skates for cleats?

Choosing the Diamond Over the Ice

The decision, as Baldwin explains, wasn't about favoring one sport over the other. "Hockey recruiting is a little later," he reveals, "so I didn't actually talk to many colleges. I think I had a chance, and the [junior hockey] route was interesting too, but being able to go right from high school to college and start working on a degree was a more straightforward path to where I wanted to be. I mean, I love both sports. I wish I could play both of them. Baseball just came first.”

Now just one class shy of a business degree from Missouri State, Baldwin playfully compares his hockey prowess to Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. "I’ll say Auston Matthews because he scores," Baldwin quips. "No one else said that, but I liked scoring." That scoring instinct, it seems, translates seamlessly to the baseball field.

Crushing Baseballs and Earning His Stripes

Baldwin's power is undeniable, but he strives for more. "I’d love to be considered [a power hitter]," he admits. "I want to be an all-around hitter, but whenever I get a mistake, I want to be able to do damage on it. Competing in the box and being able to use the whole field is kind of my approach, but hitting home runs is fun. The goal is to hit the ball as hard as you can, as much as you can."

And he's doing just that. In his first 12 plate appearances this spring, Baldwin is already 4-for-9 with a double and three walks, proving that his potential is more than just hype.

Walker Buehler: Adapting to the Changing Tides

Walker Buehler, once a young flamethrower dominating with a blazing fastball, has embarked on a new chapter. After injuries and the passage of time, he's now with the Boston Red Sox, embracing a different approach to the game.

"As you get older, things change," Buehler reflects. "My stuff isn’t quite what it was in 2019, but you mature and learn other ways to get guys out. You develop other pitches. The sweeper is something that’s kind of come into the game, and into mine, I also throw a lot more cutters now. Back then it was a lot of four-seam fastballs. So, things have evolved, as they do for every guy."

While acknowledging the diminished velocity of his four-seamer, Buehler remains confident in his ability to compete. "I still do [consider myself a power pitcher]," he affirms. "I think a lot of the throws I make are power throws. It’s just that you have to evolve a little bit. Guys don’t throw 100 forever.”

Seby Zavala on Unicorn Fastballs

Veteran catcher Seby Zavala has witnessed a diverse array of pitching arsenals throughout his career. One pitcher's fastball, however, stands out as truly unique: Seattle Mariners' Bryan Woo.

"He’s kind of like [Michael] Kopech," Zavala explains. "Kopech was the first time I saw someone who could just throw fastballs right down the middle, and even if hitters knew it was coming, they would still swing and miss. Woo was doing that. Seeing Woo’s fastball up close and personal is very interesting."

Zavala elaborates on Woo's exceptional velocity and movement. "The approach angle, the induced vertical, the way his arm works... He’s super smooth in his motion — the ball comes out really nice — and then it just jumps."