Madison native Drake Baldwin enjoying series close to home

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The first season in the major leagues has been quite a ride for Madison native Drake Baldwin.

The Atlanta Braves catcher started on opening day and has started a majority of the team's games since. That includes the opening game against the Milwaukee Brewers, his first in Wisconsin as a major leaguer.

"I had a bunch of other people circle the series as well, and be like, 'Hey, we're going to come watch you in Milwaukee.' It was definitely something I looked at and now we're here. It's awesome," said Baldwin.

Baldwin said about 100 people came to watch his Braves take on the Brewers on Tuesday, June 9, including the baseball team from his alma mater, Madison West, as well as Madison East players. He's expecting even more over the course of the series.

"This is a stadium I came to when I was younger to watch the Brewers, I was a Brewers fan growing up. It's pretty special to come back and get to see a bunch of friends and family, hang out with them before and after the games. It's really cool to play here," said Baldwin.

In Tuesday's game, Baldwin went 0-4 but worked a walk and said that might have been the loudest cheer he's gotten for a walk in the majors.

"I was cracking up at first base just hearing them all go crazy," laughed Baldwin. "They were fired up for every at bat."

He won't have time to do everything he wants while here for the series. Maybe most regrettably, potentially not being able to get Culver's.

"Culver's hits different in Wisconsin," said Baldwin.

But he feels the love, most importantly.

"It's more so just seeing everyone is the biggest thing, and experiencing the relationships," said Baldwin.

Baldwin did not get the start in Wednesday's June 10 game but comes into Milwaukee as the National League Rookie of the Month, with 21 hits, a .389 batting average and a 1.004 on base plus slugging percentage. One of his hits was a walk-off single to beat the Cincinnatti Reds 5-4 in 11 innings.

"You see those awards on social media growing up, and it's something you always kinda dream to achieve one day and getting that was a nice little acknowledgement of how I was doing," said Baldwin. "Obviously, the ultimate goal is to go out there and win games for the Braves. Continue putting nights together, games together, and keep on building on that throughout the year."

In 43 games, Baldwin is hitting .302, with 7 home runs, 18 RBI, a .500 slugging percentage, and .853 OPS.