“Case Horton was robbed”; “What a joke” - Fans lash out as Drake Baldwin takes home 2025 NL Rookie of the Year honors

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has been named the Baseball Writers’ Association of America's 2025 'National League Rookie of the Year.' Baldwin won the award by defeating Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin.

Baldwin played 124 games for the Braves with a .274 batting average and 80 RBIs, the most by any rookie in the NL, earning him 21 of 30 first-place votes in the ballot.

However, fans didn't like the outcome of the voting.

"Cade Horton was robbed."

NAIA Baseball Probz

@NAIABaseballPro

Cade Horton was robbed

"What a joke. Absolutely ridiculous."

Will Harder

@WillHarder6

What a joke. Absolutely ridiculous

"Cade was robbed. I hope he uses this as fuel to have that chip. Unreal mlb didn’t get this right."

Justin Porter

@31Porter

Cade was robbed. I hope he uses this as fuel to have that chip. Unreal mlb didn’t get this right.

"Wow. Cade Horton robbed. That was a fun future ig."

Ben

@bball_Benn

Wow. Cade Horton robbed. That was a fun future ig

"What a joke. Absolutely ridiculous."

Will Harder

@WillHarder6

What a joke. Absolutely ridiculous

Baldwin finished the season with a 126 OPS+, the third-highest by a rookie catcher since 1994. Only Buster Posey (133) and Adley Rutschman (131) have posted better numbers than Baldwin in their rookie year.

Meanwhile, Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz has been named the AL Rookie of the Year after a historic rookie season. He smashed 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs with an OPS over 1.000 to win the award unanimously.