Things are getting a little dicey for the Atlanta Braves at the big-league level right now. Injuries, inconsistencies, and a cold streak have cooled the high expectations that surrounded this club coming into 2025. But here’s the thing about the Braves—they know how to develop arms.
And while Atlanta’s rotation might be wobbling, two names just popped up from the farm system with a bit of buzz: JR Ritchie and Jhancarlos Lara. Promotions came down for both pitchers yesterday, and there’s the real reason to believe these could be the next arms to watch in the Braves’ ever-evolving pitching pipeline.
JR Ritchie: A Controlled Comeback with Big-League Potential
First up is JR Ritchie, and let’s just call it what it is: this kid has been dealing. After coming back from a 2023 surgery that stalled his momentum, Ritchie has found his groove in High-A ball this season. Through 41.2 innings, he’s racked up 38 strikeouts with a minuscule 1.30 ERA. That’s not just good—that’s dominant.
His latest outing? A complete game shutout against the Greenville Drive, Boston’s High-A affiliate. That was the exclamation point the Braves needed to promote the 21-year-old to Double-A Columbus. He’s Atlanta’s No. 6 prospect for a reason. The velocity is creeping back up, the command is tightening, and the poise is unmistakable.
What’s next? Well, suppose Ritchie continues this pace in Double-A and refines the command of his secondary pitches, especially the changeup and curve. In that case, there’s a very real chance he could finish the season knocking on the Triple-A door—or better yet, making his MLB debut late in the year.
Jhancarlos Lara: From Struggles to the Bullpen—and Suddenly, He’s Flying
Then there’s Jhancarlos Lara, the flame-throwing No. 11 prospect in the Braves’ system. He’s had a rockier road in 2025, struggling with control as a starter in Double-A. His fastball-slider combo has always been electric, but the rotation’s walk rate was unsustainable.
So, the Braves pivoted. They put him in the bullpen. One outing. Just one. That’s all it took for Lara to get the call to Triple-A Gwinnett. Why? Because he was filthy in relief. He was pumping 98–100 mph fastballs and—most importantly—throwing strikes. That was the magic formula Atlanta had been waiting for.
There’s always that turning point moment for prospects, and this bullpen transition might be it for Lara. If the control keeps up, he’s a fast-track candidate for a call-up to Atlanta’s bullpen this summer. Think late-inning weapon with a fiery edge, the kind of arm that could sneak into October plans if all goes well.
Two Paths, One Goal: Atlanta Braves
Look, nothing is guaranteed in prospect development. But the Braves aren’t handing out promotions for fun—they’re watching closely. JR Ritchie and Jhancarlos Lara are now just a step or two away from the majors, and their timelines just accelerated in a major way.
With the big-league club in need of a spark, both pitchers could find themselves helping out sooner than expected. Ritchie’s got the starter profile; Lara might be a bullpen missile.
Either way, the Braves’ pipeline continues to churn, and these two are the latest examples of why Atlanta’s system remains one of the most dangerous in baseball, even when the wins aren’t piling up.
