JR Ritchie is making a name for himself in a big way. The Atlanta Braves' rookie starting pitcher, called up from Triple-A Gwinnett back in April, has already earned top honors in the International League—named its Pitcher of the Month for April.

Before joining the big league club, Ritchie was absolutely dominant in Gwinnett. Over five starts (including one in March), he posted a microscopic 0.99 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and racked up 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. But it was his April performance that truly stole the show: a jaw-dropping 0.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts across 23.2 innings. Those numbers earned him the league's monthly award and made it clear he was ready for the next step.

Since his promotion on April 23, Ritchie has made three starts for the Braves, posting a 3.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 17.1 innings. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, he's also faced some challenges, particularly against left-handed hitters. Still, the 22-year-old—selected 35th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bainbridge High School in Washington—has already proven why he's a fixture on Top 100 prospect lists.

In fact, Ritchie made an immediate impact in the majors, earning his first career win on the very night of his call-up in Washington, D.C. With a 3-0 record and a 0.85 WHIP that led the International League in April, this young arm is one to watch as the season unfolds.