Atlanta Braves pitcher JR Ritchie, who spent the past year recovering from Tommy John surgery, was selected by the Braves in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect in Atlanta’s minor league system.
Ritchie made his return to the mound with the Augusta GreenJackets in early July and is now set to be promoted to High-A Rome for the final stretch of the season and the playoffs, according to a source.
In his seven appearances for Augusta, including six starts, Ritchie has posted a 1.95 ERA over 32.1 innings, with a notable WHIP of 1.02. He has recorded 40 strikeouts and just 10 walks.
As anticipated, Ritchie has been especially effective against opposing hitters in August as he regained his stamina and command.
His promotion to High-A Rome comes as a result of his dominant performance in Augusta over the past month.
When Ritchie is healthy, he demonstrates the potential for a diverse four-pitch arsenal and has shown an impressive command of his pitches for his age (he turned 21 in June). His fastball generally sits in the low 90s, though he can reach 95-96 mph when needed. However, his standout feature is his ability to spin his breaking pitches effectively. His slider, a sharp low-80s pitch, has become a reliable strikeout weapon, and he also incorporates a solid slower curve. Additionally, he is expected to have an average changeup, benefiting from his good arm speed to create effective deception.
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