Braves’ Ritchie Faces Crucial Test in First Major League Start

SAN DIEGO—Atlanta Braves pitcher JR Ritchie was poised for the rebound he needed, but Tuesday evening proved to be another hard lesson.

Opening the second inning with a four‑run advantage over the San Diego Padres, Ritchie’s command faltered early. He walked two batters before surrendering a single to Rodolfo Durán, and when Xander Bogaerts crossed home plate, the young right‑hander ran under the plate at Petco Park, covering his face with his glove in frustration.

The disappointment continued. Three consecutive hits followed, allowing five runs in the inning and undoing his teammates’ earlier offensive burst. Atlanta fell 7‑6 in 10 innings, marking its 10th loss in 18 games played on June 18. Since securing a 10 ½‑game cushion in the NL East on May 22, the Braves have gone 12‑14, allowing the Philadelphia Phillies (43‑36) to close the gap to five ½ games.

“I know I didn’t take the loss tonight, but I take responsibility for it,” Ritchie said. “It’s tough. Whenever we put up six runs, we should win the game. I just have to be better moving forward.”

This was the third consecutive start in which Ritchie—ranked No. 2 atop Keith Law’s preseason prospects list for The Athletic—gave up at least four runs and failed to reach the sixth inning. His ERA has risen to 5.40 since filling in for Spencer Strider after the latter’s May 12 right‑elbow injury.

Still, the Braves remain confident in the nearly 23‑year‑old.

Manager Walt Weiss has repeatedly expressed belief in Ritchie’s potential to strengthen the rotation, and the pitcher’s minor‑league résumé backs that confidence. Even after Tuesday’s second‑inning turmoil, he settled, limiting the Padres to only one walk and a hit over the final three innings.

Ritchie’s talent has never been questioned. On April 23, he became the first Braves pitcher to record at least seven strikeouts, allow two runs or fewer, and pitch a minimum of seven innings in his major‑league debut. He was the organization’s minor‑league pitcher of the year last season and earned the starting role in the 2025 All‑Star Futures Game at Truist Park.

JR Ritchie set a franchise record in his MLB debut at Nationals Park on April 23. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

These accomplishments illustrate why the Braves view Ritchie with a long‑term perspective, even as he works through growing pains in the majors.

“We have to remind ourselves of how young he is,” Weiss said. “There’s still some development to take care of with JR, but there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be a strong starter in this league.”

Four years ago in San Diego, Ritchie delivered a performance that solidified the Braves’ confidence in his potential impact on the organization.

He appeared on the same mound at Petco Park as a precocious high‑school pitcher during the first MLB Draft Combine. He sought to prove his worth after a modest senior season at Bainbridge High in the Seattle area in 2022.

Some advisors cautioned him against pitching in the combine game, suggesting he pursue a career at UCLA, the program he had committed to.

Nevertheless, Ritchie followed his instincts, pitching in the event. His performance convinced the Braves to select him with the 35th pick weeks later.

“I always bet on myself,” Ritchie said. “I’m always willing to put my stuff against others. I’m not afraid of a challenge. That’s just who I am.”

Throughout his baseball journey, success has come naturally. He excelled in high school, climbed prospect rankings, and advanced through the Braves’ farm system to become one of the organization’s most revered young arms—even after undergoing Tommy John surgery the year after being drafted.

The major leagues have tested him harder, but the mindset that carried him from the draft combine to re‑joining the Braves rotation four years later remains unchanged.

“I’m here for a reason,” Ritchie said. “I don’t think that’s a fluke. It’s simply small adjustments and keeping a foot in front of another every day.”

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