MLB Draft Lottery Update: September 26 Odds and Surprises

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This piece digs into the two big storylines taking over baseball’s late-season buzz — the wild draft lottery race and the rise of rookies like Drake Baldwin. Teams are scrambling for draft position, while individual players are making waves and stirring up awards talk.

We’re going to look at Baldwin’s numbers, other rookies in the mix, and how the lottery chase is keeping fans of rebuilding teams glued to the standings.

Drake Baldwin’s Rookie Impact

Drake Baldwin has been a bright spot among National League rookies this year. He leads the group in fWAR with 3 wins, which is pretty wild for just 53 games.

His impact stands out, especially considering how quickly he’s made his mark. That kind of production, in such a short window, is tough to ignore.

Stats That Tell the Story

Baldwin’s run for end-of-season honors isn’t a lock, though. His .376 BABIP is way above the league average, which makes you wonder if he can keep it up over a full year.

Jakob Marsee is the only rookie hitter putting up similar numbers. Other names like Chad Patrick, Cade Horton, Caleb Durbin, and Isaac Collins are starting to get attention too.

Rookie Rivalries and Pitching Performances

Pitchers grab headlines with flashy ERA stats, but those numbers don’t always tell the whole story. ERA can be misleading, and sometimes context matters more than the stat line.

In Baldwin’s rookie race, some pitchers look better on paper than they do in reality. It’s not always about dominance—sometimes it’s just the situation.

Marsee’s Challenge

Marsee stands out as a hitter who could push Baldwin for the top spot. His approach and knack for situational hitting give him an edge in some matchups.

Still, Baldwin’s raw output keeps him in the lead for now.

The Draft Lottery Race Intensifies

The back half of the season has turned into a draft lottery scramble. The Atlanta Braves probably won’t catch the Pittsburgh Pirates, who hold a five-game lead, but things are shifting as other teams stumble.

It’s a strange kind of race, but it’s got its own drama.

Key Games Shaping the Standings

Some close games have tipped the balance. Aaron Nola flirted with a perfect game into the sixth and ended up tossing eight innings of one-run ball.

On the other side, Joe Ryan struck out nine in five innings, but a couple of rough runs hurt the Twins, who are still trailing the Pirates in the standings.

Walk-Offs and Game-Changing Rallies

Lately, late-inning drama has been the name of the game. Shea Langeliers hit a walk-off double, knocking off Mason Barnett and Luinder Avila, and giving the Braves a slim lead over the Athletics.

Meanwhile, the Marlins dropped a six-run fifth inning on rookie Brandon Sproat to beat the Mets, even after Francisco Lindor started things off with a home run.

Final Stretch Scenarios

The standings are tight, and now the spotlight is on the Athletics and Orioles. Both are tied in the win column, with Atlanta and Baltimore sitting at 75–85.

The upcoming Twins-Pirates series could shake up the draft order just in time for the offseason.

What’s at Stake

Fans love the playoff chase, but the draft lottery is its own kind of chess match. It affects roster calls, pitching rotations, and the timing of prospect debuts.

For guys like Baldwin, every game is a mix of personal milestones and bigger-picture consequences for their teams.

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**Headline-style takeaway:** *Rookie standout Drake Baldwin fuels late-season intrigue as MLB draft lottery race tightens.*

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Here is the source article for this story: MLB Draft Lottery Look-In: September 26