Braves farmhand JR Ritchie got a huge opportunity in Atlanta on Sunday, as the young pitcher started the MLB All-Star Futures Game at the stadium in which he hopes to call home soon. The first-round draft pick from 2022 took full advantage.
JR Ritchie Shows His Stuff
Ritchie kicked things off on the mound for the NL squad by issuing a leadoff walk to speedster Max Clark, but he settled in afterward, retiring the next three batters he faced. Two of those outs came by way of strikeouts for the 22-year-old righty.
A 97 MPH fastball for his first strikeout in the All-Star Futures game?
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 12, 2025
No problem for @Braves' No.6 prospect, JR Ritchie! 😤 pic.twitter.com/NLaAnxzpKL
After missing large chunks of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery back in May of 2023, Ritchie has been back at full strength between the High-A and Double-A levels this year. He was unafraid to air it out from the Truist Park mound Sunday, registering as high as 97 mph on the radar gun.
Heading (Back) to Atlanta Soon?
“Whether or not a call’s on the way, I’m just trying to get work done,” Ritchie said prior to his Futures Game outing. Some rumblings since the impressive effort suggest he will be elevated to Triple-A Gwinnett for the first time following the All-Star break.
Given the barrage of injuries that the Braves have been dealing with in their pitching staff, it's sort of an "all-hands-on-deck" approach in Atlanta right now as far as the mound is concerned. Davis Daniel was recalled from Triple-A to start Sunday in St. Louis. With the Braves only really able to rely on Spencer Strider and Grant Holmes at the moment, more promotions could soon follow.
Ritchie's first chance against Triple-A competition could be a short one if he maintains the form he has shown at Columbus and Rome this season. In 15 starts between the two stops, Ritchie has posted a 2.35 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while striking out 79 batters across 80.1 innings. He has limited opponents to a .169 AVG and induced groundballs at a near 50% clip.
Per MLB.com, Ritchie is currently slotted in as the organization's No. 6 prospect. He has yet to clear even 100 innings above Single-A ball, but he has certainly jumped on the fast track to the show.
Just last summer, Spencer Schwellenbach likewise had little experience at the higher levels. Current unfortunate injury aside, how has that turned out?