**Atlanta Braves Prospect Returns from Tommy John Surgery**
The Atlanta Braves have faced a challenging season marked by injuries across the organization. Among those making promising strides back from injury are a few standout names recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Foremost among them is Ian Anderson, set to make his return today in a Florida Complex League game. Anderson, a pivotal figure in the 2021 postseason, has been sidelined since August 2022 following surgery. There’s cautious optimism that the extended recovery period might ultimately benefit him.
Joining Anderson on the comeback trail is JR Ritchie, who recently took the mound for the Braves in a Florida Complex League outing. Ritchie, the 35th overall pick in 2022, ranks as the fourth top prospect in Atlanta’s system according to MLB Pipeline, trailing only AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach. Some evaluators place him slightly lower, but Ritchie is undeniably a prospect to watch, showing promise with a solid performance of two scoreless innings, one strikeout, and allowing just one hit.
Ritchie showcases an impressive arsenal including a mid-90s fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. Recovering from Tommy John surgery is a significant challenge, but at just 20 years old, it’s far from a career-ending setback. The hope is that he can return to his pre-injury form and validate the Braves’ high regard for him since his draft from high school a few years ago.
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