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  • 4 hours ago
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00:00Young Star could be Braves' next pitching prospect breakout.
00:04In the world of baseball, where the difference between promise and performance is measured in inches and milliseconds,
00:10J.R. Ritchie has emerged from near-anonymity to become a name that may soon reverberate across Truist Park.
00:17Just a few years ago, he was a 5'4 7th grader dreaming not of the mound, but of the gridiron,
00:23envisioning himself as the next Brett Favre.
00:26Now, at 6'2 with a live arm and a steadily growing resume,
00:31Ritchie stands on the cusp of becoming the next prize gem for the Atlanta Braves.
00:36Drafted 35th overall in 2022, Ritchie overcame 2023 Tommy John surgery to post a 2.64 ERA over 26 starts
00:45across three minor league levels in 2025, including a 3.02 ERA in 11 AAA starts.
00:51While his 11.1% walk rate shows room for refinement, the workload, adjustment, and fatigue explain much of it.
00:59His tools, a high school fastball once reaching 91 miles per hour, a sharp curve, and a major league-ready frame and mechanics,
01:08highlight his starter potential.
01:10Atlanta has a strong track record of developing young pitchers into stars,
01:14including Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrop.
01:18Ritchie's breakout adds depth to the Braves' rotation ahead of another postseason push.
01:24Beyond his numbers, his calm, disciplined temperament makes him well-suited for high-pressure situations,
01:30aligning with the team's history of nurturing, impactful young talent.
01:35Ritchie grew seven inches in a year, transforming from undersized to overachiever.
01:40Though his football dreams faded, his baseball passion persisted,
01:44inspired by Brett Favre and emulating Dansby Swanson.
01:47With the Braves' rotation needing depth and Ritchie excelling at every minor league level,
01:53it may be time for him to take his shot on the big stage.
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