In a season full of surprises for Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has been named the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year. The 24-year-old, who debuted on March 27, captured the award with a solid performance that included a 3.1 fWAR over his rookie campaign. Baldwin, drafted in the third round out of Missouri State back in 2022, became the 10th Brave to claim this distinction, underscoring the organization's knack for developing homegrown talent.
While Baldwin's steady presence behind the plate and timely hitting turned heads, the race wasn't without stiff competition. Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin and Cubs pitcher rounded out the top contenders, but Baldwin's 21 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America sealed the deal. It's a nod to his reliability in a position that's often unforgiving for newcomers—handling pitchers, calling games, and contributing offensively without the flash of outfield stars.
Across the league, Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz dominated the AL Rookie of the Year voting, taking home the honor unanimously. The 22-year-old Wake Forest product, selected fourth overall in the 2024 draft, slashed .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs in 117 games, posting a whopping 5.4 WAR. Kurtz's power surge from the cleanup spot helped propel the A's surprising push, marking him as a unanimous standout in the MLB Rookie of the Year 2025 conversation.
These awards highlight a crop of rookies who brought fresh energy to the diamond this year, blending raw skill with quick adaptation. Yet, with just one season under their belts, questions linger about sustaining that momentum amid the grind of future campaigns.
