Alex Anthopoulos hints at a looming Braves trade asset in minor leagues

After bowing out as soon as possible for the third postseason in a row, it is all about the offseason for the Atlanta Braves. During their season-ending press conference, Braves general manager Alex Anthpoulos and skipper Brian Snitker had some interesting things to say. Demetrius Bell of Battery Power wrote about a few of them, highlighted with quotes. This bit on Drake Baldwin was fascinating.

For as much as Braves Country hypes up the pitchers the organization has in the minor leagues, I don’t care. Outside of Spencer Schwellenbach, I have seen most of them pitch for the Braves, and they have stunk! The one prospect I actually halfway care about is Baldwin, mostly because of the trade value he could provide. Unfortunately, the backup backstop is buried on the Braves depth chart.

Anthopoulos indicated that Baldwin being at least a Double-A player means that he is so close.

“The way he’s played, he’s definitely a phone call away at this point. We’ve pulled guys up from Mississippi before.”

He mentioned that Atlanta is fond of Travis d’Arnaud, and still somehow fond of one Sean Murphy…

“We have two guys at the major league level that we’re really fond of. I view the young catching position as breaking in a glove. There’s just so much more to it. There is so much thrown at these guys with the game planning, the game calling and everything else beyond your offensive responsibilities. I don’t think you ever go wrong at giving anybody at that position more time to develop.”

For as much as Anthopoulos loves Baldwin’s left-handed bat, Chadwick Tromp is also in Triple-A.

“I think he’s one of the best prospects in the organization and one of the best prospects in the game. It’s not a secret or surprise. He put up close to .900 OPS in Gwinnett as a left-hander and his makeup is off the charts. If we would’ve had an injury crisis, he would’ve been in the mix. However, Tromp did a great job for us and he’s on the roster.”

While Anthopoulos envisions a scenario where Baldwin is in Gwinnett, how will he make it to Atlanta?

“Baldwin being in Gwinnett next year is definitely in play depending on how things go. That’s one position that you can’t have a guy that’s banged up for a day or two, give him four-or-five days and go short-handed. The minute someone can’t go, you got to get someone there for him the next day. Between Tromp and him, we feel good. I think we all learned [from what happened with the catcher situation in 2021] and I don’t want to go through that again. I like having that depth and while I don’t want to speak for Snit, I think we all feel the same way.”

I don’t know if the Braves are going to move Baldwin this offseason, but his MLB ETA time is upon us.