From this year’s prospect writeup:

“JR Ritchie, RHP, 23, AAA, 2026

The 2nd year removed from Tommy John was kind to Richie as he regained the velocity missing last year, averaging nearly 94 in 2025. The fastball is actually the least used part of an incredibly balanced 6 pitch repertoire all of which now grade out as average or better. Ritchie is a bit undersized and has a lot of exertion in his motion which has long led many scouts to assume that he would be a reliever long term but current consensus sees a #3 here with room for more if either the control improves or he finds another gear on the heater. Guys with this profile usually need a transition season in the majors to figure out how their arsenal works at the highest level so don’t expect instant impact from him this year.”

He left the first one middle-middle and James Wood did what he has done all series by depositing it in the rightfield seats. After that blip Ritchie avoided the middle and got his first strikeout on a nasty change. He then started the second frame like a seasoned vet with a get it over slider followed by 2 inside pitches that rewarded him with an easy groundball. He would give up a couple singles on pretty good pitches but MLB hitters will do that. A troubling trend so far is that he hasn’t used the top of the zone at all. We will monitor this going forward!

He started out the 3rd with a perfect high and inside 4 seam and got rewarded with a lazy fly. More of this please! Something I didn’t mention in the write up was that the heater is really his worst pitch by metrics but has excellent results due to its relative rarity . No sign of the cutter yet which is strange as it is his second best pitch.

The 4th inning sees another homer, this time on a pretty good pitch. He will learn that middle placement is still dangerous up here. Move it 2-3 inches either way and he’s gold. The cutter has made its appearance. It looks good! Lile then singles on another ball that is well placed down but too central. This is the type of adjustment that usually takes time.

5th inning with Wood was near perfect in that every pitch was within an inch of the black. Keeping it on the edge is far more important up here than keeping it down. Six K’s and no walks through 5 on 60 pitches. 

He walked the first guy in the 6th on 4 pitches that missed the zone by a combined 6 inches. That is good enough most of the time. Only 1 4-seam in 17 pitches. He will need to throw a few more than that going forward, especially the second time he faces a team.

Final line: 7 innings, 7 k’s, 2 bb, 6-4 gb/fb, 60% strikes. More of this please 🙂