As Atlanta Braves No. 3 prospect Didier Fuentes struggled in the first inning of Wednesday night’s 8-6 win at Nationals Park, it became apparent the team’s No. 2 prospect was likely less than 24 hours from making his MLB debut.
Braves manager Walt Weiss confirmed this when he announced JR Ritchie will start Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Nationals. The 22-year-old right-hander ranks as MLB Pipeline’s No. 79 prospect.