Braves' Top Prospect Impresses Catcher Baldwin with Changeup

JR Ritchie's strong minor league performance has Braves considering a call-up

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:31pm

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Atlanta Braves top prospect JR Ritchie has been turning heads in spring training, with catcher Drake Baldwin praising the young pitcher's impressive changeup. Ritchie, who had a 3.02 ERA in Triple-A last season, is seen as a potential contributor to the Braves' rotation if the team deals with any injuries.

Why it matters

The Braves have had recent success developing homegrown starting pitchers, and Ritchie's strong performance in the minors could make him a valuable asset for the big league club. His development is being closely watched as the Braves look to maintain their status as one of the top pitching teams in the league.

The details

Ritchie, the Braves' No. 2 overall prospect and the 90th-ranked prospect in baseball, has impressed with his arsenal, including a fastball that has reached 96 mph. Braves manager Walt Weiss noted that the team will take a measured approach with Ritchie's potential call-up, but acknowledged that he could force the team's hand if he continues to dominate at the minor league level.

  • Ritchie started the 2025 season with High-A Rome, but advanced quickly and ended the season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate.
  • In 2025, Ritchie pitched to a 3.02 ERA over 11 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett.

The players

JR Ritchie

The Braves' No. 2 overall prospect and the 90th-ranked prospect in baseball, who has impressed with his strong minor league performance and arsenal that includes a 96 mph fastball.

Walt Weiss

The manager of the Atlanta Braves, who has acknowledged that Ritchie could force the team's hand for a call-up if he continues to dominate at the minor league level.

Drake Baldwin

A former NL Rookie of the Year and current Braves catcher, who praised Ritchie's impressive changeup after facing him in live batting practice.

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What they’re saying

“It's a process, right? I mean, sometimes guys are called up out of necessity, and sometimes they knock the door down and you've got to call them up. So, the circumstances can be different from one guy to the next.”

— Walt Weiss, Braves Manager

“I faced him in live [batting practice], and I didn't see that pitch well either. It's definitely a good pitch. A good change is tough to hit, and he definitely has a good changeup.”

— Drake Baldwin, Braves Catcher

What’s next

The Braves will continue to monitor Ritchie's progress in the minors, and could consider calling him up to the big league club if they face any injuries in the starting rotation.

The takeaway

Ritchie's strong performance in the minors and the praise from his Braves teammates and coaches suggest he could be a valuable addition to the team's starting rotation in the near future, as the organization continues to develop its homegrown pitching talent.