The Atlanta Braves may have found their franchise catcher for years to come, and the price tag could be historic. Drake Baldwin, selected 96th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, has quickly become one of baseball's brightest young stars. After winning the National League Rookie of the Year award, the 25-year-old backstop is now putting together an even stronger sophomore campaign—and a massive contract extension could be on the horizon.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Braves have yet to "seriously engage" in extension talks with Baldwin, but an eventual deal might reset the catcher market entirely. Through the early part of the 2026 season, Baldwin is slashing an impressive .313/.392/.532 with 9 home runs and 30 RBIs in 147 at-bats. His walk rate has climbed from 8.5% to 9.6%, while his isolated power has jumped from .195 to .218, proving his breakout was no fluke.

Baldwin's offensive production has been a lifeline for Atlanta, especially as stars like Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr. have dealt with early-season struggles. Currently, Cal Raleigh holds the highest average annual value among catchers at $17.5 million, with only Raleigh and the Dodgers' Will Smith signed to deals worth $100 million or more. Baldwin is expected to join—and potentially surpass—that exclusive club.

Rosenthal suggests that Baldwin could even eclipse the current record for highest AAV for a catcher, set at $23.1 million. If that holds true, the Braves could be looking at a five-plus-year extension worth around $120 million. With Baldwin not eligible for arbitration until after the 2027 season and free agency still years away (2030), Atlanta has time—but the clock is ticking on locking in their next superstar.