Just over a year ago, the Atlanta Braves selected JR Ritchie the 35th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Since then, the 20 year old has faced bumps in the road on and off the field, but his mature and positive attitude remains. In May, Ritchie had to undergo Tommy John Surgery. Off the field, a place he has loved his whole life, the community of Maui, faced tragedy.
The first time he went to Maui, Ritchie was six months old, and has been going back ever since. People his family has known for a long time have lost their homes, or even their lives.