Atlanta Braves’ top prospect on his way

The Atlanta Braves are getting a bunch of arms back into shape for the major league club. However, it’s not just players like Ian Anderson and AJ Smith Shawver who are working back to full strength. Former 2022 first-round pick JR Ritchie will also begin his rehab assignment this week, according to a source.

Ritchie is expected to pack his bags for the August GreenJackets, the Braves’ Single-A affiliate, a source told BravesSI. The GreenJackets have been in the headlines recently because that’s where Anderson made his debut this week.

The plan now is for Anderson to start Saturday night at Augusta, then Ritchie will take his place in the lineup as Anderson takes the next step toward returning to Atlanta. Anderson was solid in his third rehab start and appears poised to move up at least one rung on the Braves ladder.

Ritchie underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023. He was pitching partners with Anderson because they had similar schedules with the same injury.

He made three appearances with the FCL Braves, including on July 4. He hadn’t allowed an earned run in his previous two appearances, but was manhandled by the FCL Pirates in 2.1 innings for five earned runs on Thursday. Ritchie allowed three walks, but he also struck out four of his nine.

The Braves liked what they saw from Ritchie enough to trade him to Augusta, where he’s expected to start next week.

Ritchie was the 35th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft and celebrated his 21st birthday last week.