Together, the Twins and Reds comprise of 17.7% of the Black population in baseball.

While MLB continues to try to develop more Black pitchers and catchers, with an annual Dream Series each year in Tempe, Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin remains the only everyday Black catcher. Baldwin, the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year winner, is the first everyday African American catcher since All-Star Charles Johnson, who last played in 2005.

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Drake Baldwin runs the bases on a two-run double against the Los Angeles Angels on April 8 in Anaheim, Calif.

Kirby Lee, Imagn Images

“It’s definitely a position you don’t see many Black players,” Baldwin told USA TODAY Sports, “so it’s kind of nice to break that stereotype and gives you the motivation to keep going.”

And although there are 13 pitchers on every MLB team, there currently are only 13 Black pitchers in the league. Reliever Joe Ross, who made the Diamondbacks’ opening-day roster, was designated for assignment last week.

“My ‘why’ is being able to grow the numbers of African American players within our sport,” Reds starter Hunter Greene told USA TODAY Sports in December, “or at least give the opportunity to the Black community. It’s up to the kids to want to continue to pursue baseball. But it’s clear as day, I’m 10 toes down in my why. …I’ve seen my impact in real time.”

While the Black population in baseball is slightly growing, MLB continues to see gains internationally, with 26.1% of its players born outside the United States, spanning 16 countries and territories. Japan has 14 players in MLB, its most since 2010. Canada has 17 players, the country’s most since 2013, including Black Canadians Josh and Bo Naylor. The Dominican Republic has 93 players in the big leagues, leading all foreign nations.

Photos from Major League Baseball spring training

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jeff Roberson

Logan Eaton, age 9, plays catch in the outfield before a spring training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Lively Hagauer, of Atlanta, with permanent marker on her face, yells out for autographs before a spring training baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

Atlanta Braves Drake Baldwin tries to catch pumpkin seeds as he is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

Tampa Bay Rays Carson Williams is tagged out at first base by Boston Red Sox first baseman Nathan Hickey on a double play to end the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in Port Charlotte, Fla., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

Minnesota Twins outfielder Kyler Fedko warms up during a spring training baseball workout in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

An anole climbs on the batting cage netting during a Minnesota Twins spring training baseball workout in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill tosses a ball to fans during spring training baseball practice Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss works out during spring training baseball Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ross D. Franklin

A man walks through the concourse before a spring training baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel

Boston Red Sox’s Braiden Ward scores past Minnesota Twins catcher Andrew Cossetti in the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Gerald Herbert

New York Yankees fans, wearing powdered judge’s wigs, watch Aaron Judge take batting practice during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Chris O’Meara

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