Atlanta Braves rookie starting pitcher JR Ritchie came up from Triple-A Gwinnett in the International League back in April, and the hope for him was that he had left that league behind for good. Today the IL came for him – but in a positive way, as Ritchie was named the league’s Pitcher of the Month for April.
Ritchie made five starts in Gwinnett, pitching to a 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts over 27.1 innings – though that includes one March start. In April he managed a 0.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 25
strikeouts in 23.2 innings, which got him the award.
Ritchie has continued to make three starts with the Braves, pitching to a 3.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 17.1 innings to start his big league career. Ritchie has mixed some flashes of brilliance along with some struggles against left-handed hitters, but the Braves first round pick in 2022 has shown why he has earned some rankings on Top 100 Prospect lists.
According to the press release:
“Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) right-hander JR Ritchie went 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in four starts as he allowed one earned run on 10 hits and 10 walks over 23.2 innings. He led the league in ERA (0.38), average against (.135) and WHIP (0.85). Ritchie was promoted to Atlanta on April 23 and recorded his first Major League win that night in Washington, D.C. Ritchie, 22, was selected by Atlanta in the Competitive Balance Round A (35th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge Island, Washington.”
