2022 MLB Draft - Rank History
| Date | List | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 9/26/21 | Top 150 | 20 |
| 7/26/21 | Top 100 | 12 |
| 1/8/21 | Early Top 100 | 10 |
Interview - Sep 2021
Ian (JR) Ritchie is one of the most exciting prep arms in the 2022 class. Armed with a 97 mph fastball, a wicked slider, a budding changeup with a developing curveball, and a two-seamer, Ritchie features one of the more formidable pitch mixes in the class. Ritchie is renowned for his mechanics and operation on the bump. He comfortably projects a starting pitcher at the next level. A UCLA commit, the Bainbridge Island, Washington product has all the makings of a potential first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Get to know Ritchie here!
Aug 2021 Article
2022 MLB DRAFT MAILBAG -- 8/19/2021
Named as one of the names most likely participants of the 2021 Perfect Game All-American Classic to be called on day one of the MLB Draft .
Aug 2021 Article
2022 MLB DRAFT TOP PROSPECTS - PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Aug 2021 Article
STAFF IMPRESSIONS FROM THE PERFECT GAME NATIONAL SHOWCASE
Washington’s own Ian Ritchie Jr. has long been a name to know on the 2022 circuit, but he’s added some flair to his stuff this year. Last summer, he primarily featured a fastball, slider, and change-up, but he’s added a curveball and a two-seam fastball to his repertoire recently and showcased both of them at PG National. He primarily sat in the low-90’s, touching 94 MPH with late run on both fastballs. The curveball and slider have distinct shapes, with the curveball in the high-70’s with good shape and the tighter slider in the low-80’s with good bite. The change-up has gotten better, with the velocity in the low-80’s and has good fading action. It’s a projectable frame for the UCLA commit at 6’2”, 185 pounds, too. There’s likely more in the tank here.
- Tyler Jennings
May 2021 Article
22 IN 22: SOME PREMIER NAMES TO KNOW FOR THE 2022 MLB DRAFT
Right-Handed Pitcher, Bainbridge Island HS
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 92-94 on most days, up to 97 in the summer of 2021. He has a firm, tight slider up into the mid-80s with late two-plane break that he also commands very well. Jordan Lawlar called it 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. 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.
Jan 2021 Video
Sep 2020 Article
WHAT METRICALLY MAKES AN ACE PART III: UNDER 17 DRAFT PROSPECTS WITH THAT "SPECIAL SOMETHING"
Ritchie, out of Bainbridge Island, Washington is one of the highest ceiling arms in the class of 2022. With a projectable frame, fantastic flexibility, and a very live fastball, Ritchie looks like a guy that could develop into a future fixture in a major league staff.
The first thing that makes Ritchie stand out as a top prospect is his fastball. Living in the low 90s and touching as high as 94, the two seamer plays really well; the pitch can showcase really hard run on occasion (flashes of elite stuff) and jumps on hitters surprisingly well. On top of that, he has a fantastic feel for the pitch, and can spot it up with ease. Ritchie’s offspeed pitches are still a bit of a work in progress, but have shown signs that point towards them being plus secondary options.
His best offspeed pitch is his changeup, which may tunnel better than any other prep changeup in the class. The pitch has a similar break profile to the fastball (not necessarily bad), though comes in nearly 10mph slower. As a result, hitters have struggled dealing with it as they recognize the pitch as a fastball (particularly in terms of flight path). It is worth noting that he tends to change his arm slot on the change, which can make it easier to read (the pitch has the profile to tunnel at an elite level with the fastball, but armslot difference currently makes that not the case).
Ritchie’s third pitch is his curveball, which is very raw and is still being developed. It shows signs of having plus vertical movement, but he consistently still slows his armspeed down on the pitch. The development of his secondaries over the next year and a half will determine if he is draft ready or not.
Mechanically (particularly on the fastball), there is a lot to like when it comes to Richie, though there are some adjustments that can be made. Ritchie has a pretty high leg kick, and stays very balanced post drive in his stress free delivery. As he comes forward, he sinks into his rear leg well, leading to his quality extension. His scap retraction is elite, which contributes to how well his arm comes through during delivery. While nitpicky, it is worth noting that his elite extension/low release comes more from his insane flexibility than it does him sinking into his glutes post drive or exploding downhill. In fact, he hardly sinks in at all after landing. With the profile of an elite velocity and spin fastball, he should want to lower his release as much as possible.
Given that he was blessed with athleticism and flexibility, priority number one in terms of mechanical development should be a focus on sinking lower after his drive, and potentially being more explosive coming downhill. This could lead to a little more velocity, but more importantly would allow the characteristics of his fastball (high rpm, high velo= lots of magnus force= perfect for low vertical approach angle) to be used in full. Ritchie throws from a low ¾ slot, which also contributes to a low release point. His arm is very whippy coming forward, though it is not consistent on all pitches; as mentioned prior, he can slow his arm down on the breaking ball. While still raw, he has a good mechanical foundation; with the right adjustments, we could see his profile skyrocket.
Overall, it is still to be seen if Ritchie will develop as desired over the course of the next year; he still has a lot of adjustments to make, but if executed he will be a first round pick. The fastball characteristics are undeniable, and when perfected his mechanics will be more than desirable. His body is extremely projectable, and with the flexibility he possesses, he has the potential to really become something special (elite elite extension, low release height with proper glute sink etc, fastball projects to potentially touch upper 90s). His raw pitches are already performing at a high level, and if he fixes his pitch tipping (arm slot and arm speed), he would be a borderline 1st rounder even without fixing the drive. He may come across as higher risk due to how raw he still is, but with proper coaching this kid could become a big league fixture down the road.
Aug 2020 Article
2020 AREA CODES UNDERCLASS STANDOUTS
Ritchie was the only underclass pitcher that was on the Area Code Games roster that pitched for the upper class team. Right away, I loved what I saw from him. As he has a nice, projectable frame, that will continue to add more velocity. But what impressed me the most, was how he did a great job of controlling the strike zone while not being afraid to challenge hitters. He did such a good job of keeping hitters off balance, that he was able to strike out a few of the big name hitters on the Rangers upper class team. Like Jordan Lawlar, Luke Heefner, and Creed Willems, while allowing zero runs across two innings. His fastball sat 90-93 and his slider sat around 81. He has a great feel for pitching, with stuff that already plays, which makes me think he has a great chance to be one of the first prep pitchers taken in the 2022 draft.
