After coming into 2025 with high expectations for their rotation, the Atlanta Braves were attacked by injuries all season long. All five starters from their Opening Day roster spent time on the injured list. This includes AJ Smith-Shawver, who needed Tommy John surgery, and Spencer Swellenbach, who broke his elbow. Additionally, co-aces Chris Sale and Spencer Strider both missed time due to injuries. While Bryce Elder made 28 starts, he pitched to a 5.30 ERA and a 78 OPS+. Rookie Hurston Waldrep was solid this year, pitching to a 2.88 ERA in nine starts to close the year. While their bullpen was solid, their rotation lacked stability for the season, and they are looking for some for 2026. One possibility of this is the Braves’ 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, pitcher JR Ritchie.
JR Ritchie: Braves Minor League Player of the Year
When the Braves drafted high schooler JR Ritchie 35th overall in the 2022 draft, the team looked to develop him. In his first professional action between Rookie ball and Single-A, Ritchie pitched to a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. He managed to hold opponents to a .184 average while striking out 14 and only walking five. Unfortunately, in 2023, after only four starts, Ritchie tore his UCL and needed Tommy John surgery, which would end his season.
Making his return from surgery in 2024, Ritchie made 11 starts across 3 levels. At Low-A, he made six starts and pitched to a 1.95 ERA with a 1.021 WHIP. This was in 32 1/3 innings, where he struck out 40 batters while walking only 10. He then finished the year in High-A, making two starts at the level. In 10 innings, he pitched to a 3.60 ERA, allowing an opponent average of .256.
Starting in 2025 in High-A, Ritchie made seven starts, where he posted a 1.30 ERA and 0.792 WHIP. This success saw him move to Double-A, where he would make eight starts. In 38 2/3 innings, Ritchie posted a 3.49 ERA with 41 strikeouts. Once again, his success was rewarded as he finished the year in Triple-A, where he would make 11 starts. Across those starts, he pitched to a 3.02 ERA with a 1.09 ERA, holding batters to a .181 average against.
JR Ritchie is a Top 100 prospect!
The @Braves right-hander, who has a 2.61 ERA across three levels this season, enters the list after Luis Morales graduates: https://t.co/TePy5Cg0pW pic.twitter.com/HOhDo8ribg
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 16, 2025
What Does the Future Hold for Ritchie?
With his arsenal headlined by a mid-90s fastball and sharp breaking slider, Ritchie has the basic stuff to succeed at most levels. However, his changeup will need some more work to become a legit third pitch in his arsenal for him to see continued success. Fortunately, command has not been an issue for the right-hander as he has a career 3.3 BB/9 and, most recently, 2.2 in his Triple-A starts. With this, and still being only 22, there is a lot of room for development, which could have the Braves delay his call-up. However, if the Braves end up in a situation like in 2025, where they need pitching, Ritchie could fill in. The most likely scenario is a late call-up in 2026 or a spot on the 2027 Opening Day roster for the Braves’ top prospect.
Main Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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