Ian Ritchie Jr.
RHP 6-2 185 Bainbridge HS
43 games, 58 1/3 innings pitched, 58 strikeouts, 1.54 WHIP
3-26-22 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
Explosive first inning for JR Ritchie. Lived 92-96. Flashes two sliders at 85. Henry Jackson's Dominic Hellman grounded out for an RBI, the only damage after a HBP.
6 whiffs on the FB. 2 Ks.
3-26-22 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
Ritchie mostly 90-92 in the 2nd. Mixed in four sliders (80-82) and four changeups (79-81). No damage. 4 Ks thus far. Showed good feel for the changeup, landing all 4 for strikes. 10 s/m.
He added a triple at the plate to help his cause.
3-21-22 - Prep Baseball Report @prepbaseball
JR Ritchie, a UCLA Baseball recruit, was up to 97 with the FB while tossing 6 perfect innings including 50 strikes, 15 Ks, 65 total pitches.
3-19-22 - Dan Jurik @PBR_DanJurik
JR Ritchie (Bainbridge/@UCLA Baseball) is done after 6 perfect innings
18 up. 18 down. 65 pitches. 50 strikes.
15 strikeouts
90-92 in last inning. Featured 81-83 mph SL more and commanded it well
Dominant
3-9-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-draft-top-400-prospects -
29
Ian (JR) Ritchie
RHP Bainbridge Island Bainbridge Island, WA
In a deep prep pitching class, Ritchie stands out for a loud package of both pure stuff and control/command. The 2022 prep pitching class has more guys touching 97 at 17 years old than maybe any other class in history. But not all of them can find the strike zone with consistency. That is where Ritchie thrives. The fastball sits 92-95 on most days, up to 97. He has a firm, tight slider up into the mid-80s with late two-plane break that he also commands very well. He also built a deeper, high-70s curveball into his arsenal with distinct vertical movement and significant spin rates. Jordan Lawlar called his breaking ball the best pitch he saw all summer in 2021. Ritchie also features a changeup he's shown feel for with good arm-side fade that he deploys primarily against lefties. Finally, he's working to mix in a low-90s 2-seam fastball, deployed away from lefty bats. Ritchie has an extremely quick arm with elite mechanics and lower half strength. He's a very good bet to start long-term, and has the potential to be the best prep arm to come out of Washington since Blake Snell or Tim Lincecum.
3-9-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-draft-top-400-prospects -
22. Ian (JR) Ritchie
Right-Handed Pitcher, Bainbridge Island
In a deep prep pitching class, Ritchie stands out for a loud package of both pure stuff and control/command. The 2022 prep pitching class has more guys touching 97 at 17 years old than maybe any other class in history. But not all of them can find the strike zone with consistency. That is where Ritchie thrives. The fastball sits 92-95 on most days, up to 97. He has a firm, tight slider up into the mid-80s with late two-plane break that he also commands very well. He also built a deeper, high-70s curveball into his arsenal with distinct vertical movement and significant spin rates. Jordan Lawlar called his breaking ball the best pitch he saw all summer in 2021. Ritchie also features a changeup he’s shown feel for with good arm-side fade that he deploys primarily against lefties. Finally, he's working to mix in a low-90s 2-seam fastball, deployed away from lefty bats. Ritchie has an extremely quick arm with elite mechanics and lower half strength. He’s a very good bet to start long-term, and has the potential to be the best prep arm to come out of Washington since Blake Snell or Tim Lincecum.
19. JR Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge HS (WA)
Ritchie, an UCLA commit, receives high marks from scouts for his polish and for his interest in the concept of pitch design. His fastball has touched into the mid-90s and features good carry, and he's flashed a quality slider. Ritchie struck out five batters in two innings of work at last summer's Perfect Game National showcase, affirming his status as one of the most intriguing prep arms in this year's class.
Top 10 Draft Prospects
10. Ian Ritchie Jr., Bainbridge (Bainbridge Island, Wash.), RHP
Among the top power pitchers in the country with a fastball that has topped out at 97 and is consistently around 95. He also has a solid curve ball and reportedly has command of four pitches. At 6-foot-2, he's not as big as Lesko or Porter, the other right-handers on the list, but surprisingly he can still bring the same amount of power.
1-18-22 - https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2022-mlb-draft-top-100-prospects/ -
38 JR Ritchie
Bainbridge HS, Bainbridge Island, Wash. RHP
Notes:
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 183 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: UCLA
Age At Draft: 19.1
One of the top arms in the Northwest, Ritchie is listed at 6-foot-1, 183 pounds and has a solid three-pitch mix with a fastball that’s been up to 95 mph, a slider in the low 80s and a changeup in a similar velocity range. He has a fast arm and has shown an ability to land all three of his pitches for strikes at a solid clip. While his slider quality came and went at times last summer on the showcase circuit, scouts think the pitch can be above-average. He’ll need to add strength and prove he can be durable enough to handle a starting role, but some scouts think his mix of arm speed, stuff and pitchability make him a first round talent. Ritchie has worked with the same pitching coach that fellow Northwest prep arm Mick Abel (2020 Phillies first-rounder) used.
1-24-22 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
I try to check any proximity biases at the door, but Ian (JR) Ritchie may genuinely have the most buttery prep operation I have ever seen. The starter traits in this kid are off the charts. Phenomenal clay for a team in the 2022 MLB Draft.
1-5-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft -
Prospect Live Mock Draft 1.0
19. Oakland Athletics
Ian (J.R.) Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge
The Athletics have been heavy on the prep side in recent years and, with the rebuild in full effect should feel no pressure to draft from the college ranks in 2022. Oakland has had several scouts and cross-checkers in to see Ritchie throw over in recent months, and have certainly leaned toward West Coast arms in recent drafts with the selections of Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy. Ritchie has the potential for 5 pitches, though he’s already got feel for three pitches including a fastball up to 97. He commands his pitches well and it’s one of the easier operations you can find in the draft. It’s effortless and buttery with a definitive starter profile. Watch out for Orange Lutheran shortstop Mikey Romero here too.
12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects -
31
Ian (JR) Ritchie
RHP
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island, WA
In a deep prep pitching class, Ritchie stands out for a loud package of both pure stuff and control/command. The 2022 prep pitching class has more guys touching 97 at 17 years old than maybe any other class in history. But not all of them can find the strike zone with consistency. That is where Ritchie thrives. The fastball sits 92-95 on most days, up to 97. He has a firm, tight slider up into the mid-80s with late two-plane break that he also commands very well. He also built a deeper, high-70s curveball into his arsenal with distinct vertical movement and significant spin rates. Jordan Lawlar called his breaking ball the best pitch he saw all summer in 2021. Ritchie also features a changeup he's shown feel for with good arm-side fade that he deploys primarily against lefties. Finally, he's working to mix in a low-90s 2-seam fastball, deployed away from lefty bats. Ritchie has an extremely quick arm with elite mechanics and lower half strength. He's a very good bet to start long-term, and has the potential to be the best prep arm to come out of Washington since Blake Snell or Tim Lincecum.
12-17-21 - si.com -
30. Los Angles Dodgers | Ian Ritchie Jr., RHP, Bainbridge HS (Wash.)
Checking a lot of boxes at the back end of the first round, Ritchie brings a solid combination of polish and upside to the mound. The fastball has routinely been into the mid-90s as he showed at PG National and the All-American Classic, where he touched 95 mph. The slider and changeup round out a true three-pitch mix, with the slider already showing flashes of a plus pitch at the pro level with late, sharp bite. It is this kind of athleticism and pitchability that the Dodgers have had so much success with in the farm system in recent years, helping to keep it among the strongest in baseball. -CO
Ritchie could be a good pick, but the question is, what round?
ReplyDeleteIf chosen by the Mets, the rich get Ritch(ie)er.
ReplyDelete