JR Ritchie
Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: (2003-06-26) June 26, 2003 (age 20)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Ian "JR" Ritchie Jr. (born June 26, 2003) is an American pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization.

Early life and amateur career

Ritchie lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, where he attended Bainbridge High School.[1] His sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] During that year, Ritchie added 20 pounds of muscle to his build, which resulted in increased velocity on his pitches.[3] He was named the Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year as a junior after he went 6–0 record with a 0.38 earned run average (ERA) and 54 strikeouts in 23+2⁄3 innings pitched while also batting .531 with 24 runs scored.[4] He committed to play college baseball at UCLA.[5] Ritchie emerged as high-round prospect for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft during his senior season.[6][7] He finished his senior season with a 7–0 win–loss record, yielding two earned runs, 12 hits, 74 strikeouts, and four walks in 35+1⁄3 innings pitched.[8] Following the end of his senior season, Ritchie participated in the 2022 Draft Combine.[9]

Professional career

Ritchie was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 35th overall selection of the 2022 MLB draft.[10][11] He signed with the team and received an over-slot signing bonus of $2.4 million.[12] He made five starts split between the rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves and the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, posting a 1.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14+1⁄3 innings pitched.[13]

In 2023, Ritchie returned to Augusta, making four starts and registering a 5.40 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 13+1⁄3 innings of work. He last pitched on May 6, and later that month, it was reported that Ritchie would undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a moderate UCL tear in his right elbow and miss the remainder of the season.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Is UCLA commit JR Ritchie the best West Sound pitching prospect ever?". Kitsap Sun. September 2, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. ^ "Because of COVID, many WA high-school seniors getting first shot at state competition". The Seattle Times. May 27, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Lantz, Shane (July 15, 2022). "Bainbridge's JR Ritchie and his power arm expected to go early in MLB draft". Seattle Times. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. ^ "BHS sports feeling 'Richie Rich' this spring". Bainbridge Island Review. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Egan, Chris (April 25, 2022). "PREP ZONE: The future is bright for Bainbridge's J.R. Ritchie". KING5.com. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Graham, Jeff (April 23, 2022). "Bainbridge baseball star JR Ritchie has a chance to turn to MLB". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  7. ^ Law, Keith (June 16, 2022). "Top 100 prospects for MLB Draft 2022: Kumar Rocker rises in Keith Law's updated big board". The Athletic. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Graham, Jeff (March 16, 2023). "Baseball Preview: West Sound's top players to watch this spring". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  9. ^ Callis, Jim (June 17, 2022). "Five up, five down: Gough K's them all at Combine". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Graham, Jeff (July 17, 2022). "Atlanta Braves select Bainbridge Island's JR Ritchie in MLB draft". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  11. ^ "Braves Excited by JR Ritchie's Upside Potential". Baseball America. April 14, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Ritchie signs with Braves for $2.4 million". Bainbridge Island Review. July 22, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  13. ^ Zeller-Singh, Nicholas (April 14, 2023). "Ritchie looks to spring into Single A action". Kitsap Daily News. Retrieved June 15, 2023. Ritchie made his professional debut in the rookie league for the Florida Complex League Braves. In his two games, he pitched 4+1⁄3 innings, gave up no earned runs and had four strikeouts. ... Ritchie made his debut in the fall league with four scoreless innings and led the GreenJackets to a 9–1 victory. In 2022, Ritchie pitched 10 total innings with a 2.70 ERA and 10 strikeouts in Single A. His spring debut included three innings pitched, no hits, no runs and seven strikeouts.
  14. ^ Toscano, Justin (May 24, 2023). "JR Ritchie, a top Braves prospect, to undergo Tommy John surgery". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved June 18, 2023. Ritchie had not pitched since May 6, when he allowed a run over 3+2⁄3 innings. He struck out seven batters and walked one. The Braves put Ritchie on the injured list with an elbow injury. As recently as Sunday, they still were evaluating Ritchie.

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