| Player: JR Ritchie | |||||||||||
| Org: Atlanta Braves | Highest Level: Triple A | Position(s): RHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 185 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Back healthy and finally stacking innings again, Ritchie spent 2025 rebuilding the momentum he flashed before Tommy John surgery. Velocity trended back toward the mid-90s, and the athletic, repeatable delivery returned with it. His ability to get back on time mechanically is the anchor of the profile, allowing strikes to come in volume and giving each pitch its intended shape more consistently as the year progressed. The foundation looks stable enough to project a return to his pre-injury form. The arsenal is deeper than most pitchers his age—two fastball looks in the 93–96 range when fully ramped, a pair of breaking balls he can manipulate, and a firm changeup that flashes late tumble. None of the offerings project as a pure wipeout pitch, but sequencing, tunneling, and above-average command let the whole mix play up. He’s comfortable attacking early, works efficiently, and has the feel to steal strikes with any part of the repertoire. When his velocity dips into the low-90s, the margin narrows, but his pitch economy and game-planning help cover the gap. Closer to the majors than most of his developmental timeline peers, Ritchie projects as a steady mid-rotation arm if the fastball ticks all the way back and at least one secondary finds consistent above-average shape. Even without a single dominant pitch, the command, athleticism, and mix point to a high-probability starter who should provide bulk innings with limited hard contact once fully back to pre-injury sharpness. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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