Ryan Ritter

A solid juco prospect from Logan (Ill.) JC, Ritter transferred to Kentucky during the spring of 2021 and was a standout defensive shortstop while slashing .275/.323/.365 at the plate. Following his debut in the SEC, Ritter went to the Cape Cod League, where he ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the league after hitting .330/.431/.429 with a 22.9% strikeout rate. Ritter has largely been the same prospect this spring in 2022—a terrific defender at shortstop who was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team and showed some offensive ability with a .283/.369/.469 slash line and 26% strikeout rate. Ritter will expand the zone frequently and particularly struggles to identify breaking balls and spit on pitches below the zone and off the plate on the outer half. He’s a fastball hitter who performed well against a solid sample of 93-plus mph velocity but whiffed between 40-50% of the time against sliders, curveballs and changeups. Ritter is a plus defensive shortstop who has easy plus arm strength, as well as good range and defensive instincts. Many have commented that he has a case as the best defender in the country. He could add more power with a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that has room for additional mass, but he’ll need to make more contact and improve his pitch recognition.