Drake Baldwin gave Braves fans exactly what they came to see in the first inning.
On a night celebrating his success, the young catcher delivered a highlight moment, launching a home run in his first at-bat during Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Truist Park.
For Baldwin, it wasn’t about trying to live up to the moment. It just happened.
“I don’t really go up there expecting to hit a home run,” Baldwin said after the game. “I’m just trying to have a good approach and put the best swing on the ball. I got a pitch to hit and got it out.”
The home run, which was Baldwin’s third in the first five games of the 2026 season, came on a night packed with milestones.
Before the game, Baldwin was honored for his 2025 National League Rookie of the Year season. It was also his first bobblehead night.
“It was really cool,” Baldwin said. “I had family and friends here. It’s something you just try to take in.”
And yes, he approved the bobblehead.
“I think they did a good job,” he said with a smile.
The energy in the stadium matched the moment.
Fans, including two kids CBS News Atlanta spoke to in the stands, erupted when Baldwin went deep.
“Drake Baldwin just hit a home run. Let’s go!” one young fan shouted.
Others proudly wore his No. 30 jersey, something Baldwin says still feels surreal.
“You kind of dream of that,” he said. “Seeing people wear your jersey or cheer you on, it says a lot about this fan base.”
“He’s such a great young star. His approach at the plate is incredible for a guy his age,” A longtime Braves fan added.
Baldwin finished the night 1-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a walk, continuing his strong start to the season.
Matthew Grimes Jr. / Atlanta Braves / Getty Images 
His approach has been simple.
“Just looking for good pitches to hit and trying to get my swing off,” he said. “Three balls have found their way out.”
Even as the Braves’ offense struggled at times Wednesday, Baldwin isn’t concerned.
“It’s baseball,” he said. “You can’t overreact to the first few games. A couple balls fall a different way, and things look completely different.”
Despite the loss, Baldwin seemed confident in the lineup and clubhouse.
“There’s a lot of trust in the guys in this room,” he said. “Everyone’s going out there competing.”
For fans, though, Wednesday was about the rising star and him delivering a moment that felt almost scripted; a home run on his bobblehead night.
And for Baldwin, it’s just the beginning.
“You want to go out there and put on your best performance,” he said, “especially for the people who came to see you.”
