Ian Ritchie (baseball)

Ian "JR" Ritchie Jr. is an American pitcher for Atlanta Braves organization.

Ian Ritchie
Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: (2003-06-26) June 26, 2003
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Early life and amateur career

Ritchie lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, where he attended Bainbridge High School.[1] His sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] During that year, Ritchie added 20 pounds of muscle to his build, which resulted in increased velocity on his pitches.[3] He was named the Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year as a junior after he went 6–0 record with a 0.38 earned run average (ERA) and 54 strikeouts in 23+2⁄3 innings pitched while also batting .531 with 24 runs scored.[4] He committed to play college baseball at UCLA.[5] Ritchie emerged as high-round prospect for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft during his senior season.[6][7] Following the end of his senior season, he participated in the 2022 Draft Combine.[8]

Professional career

Ritchie was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 35th overall selection of the 2022 MLB draft.[9] He signed with the team and received an over-slot signing bonus of $2.4 million.[10]

References
  1. "Is UCLA commit JR Ritchie the best West Sound pitching prospect ever?". Kitsap Sun. September 2, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. "Because of COVID, many WA high-school seniors getting first shot at state competition". The Seattle Times. May 27, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  3. Lantz, Shane (July 15, 2022). "Bainbridge's JR Ritchie and his power arm expected to go early in MLB draft". Seattle Times. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. "BHS sports feeling 'Richie Rich' this spring". Bainbridge Island Review. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  5. Egan, Chris (April 25, 2022). "PREP ZONE: The future is bright for Bainbridge's J.R. Ritchie". KING5.com. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  6. Graham, Jeff (April 23, 2022). "Bainbridge baseball star JR Ritchie has a chance to turn to MLB". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  7. Law, Keith (June 16, 2022). "Top 100 prospects for MLB Draft 2022: Kumar Rocker rises in Keith Law's updated big board". The Athletic. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. Callis, Jim (June 17, 2022). "Five up, five down: Gough K's them all at Combine". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. Graham, Jeff (July 17, 2022). "Atlanta Braves select Bainbridge Island's JR Ritchie in MLB draft". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. "Ritchie signs with Braves for $2.4 million". Bainbridge Island Review. July 22, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
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