It’s always an interesting and cool story when a local athlete gets a chance to play for the pro team in the city they grew up in or around. By my count there are now eleven players in the organization with “local ties” - Tyler Phillips, Braeden Fausnaught, Buddy Kennedy, Danny Wilkinson, Eli Trop (he’s from Seattle but pitched collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania), Luke Gabrysh, Ryan Dromboski, Andrew Bechtold, Erik Ritchie, Gabe Mosser and Zack Tukis.
In this article we focus the spotlight on LHP Erik Ritchie.
Erik (21 yrs old) was the Phillies 19th round draft selection in the 2024 draft from East Carolina University. He was born in Sellersville, PA and grew up in Telford, PA. The native of Bucks and Montgomery counties graduated from Souderton High School where he lettered three years in baseball. In 2019 (his sophomore season) the team went 24-4 and won the 6A PIAA state championship.
At East Carolina Erik was a six time member of the Director of Athletics honor role and was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. On the baseball field he appeared in 50 games (4 starts) totaling 53 IP with an ERA of 5.94 with 67 K’s.
Collegiate scouting reports stated that he attacked hitters and worked ahead in the count with a fastball that had arm-side run. His curveball has a tight spin. Erik varies his looks and mixes well, keeping hitters guessing. He did not pitch in an official pro game in 2024 after signing as the organization chose instead to cap his 2024 workload. His focus turned towards strength and conditioning work at the Complex before returning to the mound in game action. He’s currently a participant in Winter High Performance Camp.
I recently asked Erik a few questions about growing up in the Philly area and his time now with the Phillies.
Were you a Phillies fan growing up and if so did you get to many games at CBP?
“I was a Phillies fan growing up yes! I didn’t get to attend many games, a couple when I was little and some in high school.”
What was your reaction when you found out the Phillies were interested in you and when you signed a contract with them?
“My reaction when I found out the Phillies were interested was mixed because while I was excited they wanted to talk and get to know me there’s so many variables in the draft process and the college season anything can happen. I kept my feelings pretty low-key as nothing was set in stone. When I signed with them it was a dream come true, I mean you always dream of being a professional but to do it with your favorite team growing up is a different kind of feeling!”
How cool is it to now be training in the same facility in Clearwater that has housed Phillies legends in prior years?
“The first time you walk through the complex entrance you get hit with that surreal feeling of everyone who has gone through the process before. It’s cool to see what everyone who got to where you want to be went through themselves.”
Who would you like to meet on the current Phillies major league roster and chat baseball with?
“I feel like Kyle Schwarber would be a great guy to sit back and talk to about anything.”
You’re currently participating in Winter High Performance Camp - what are your thoughts on the “Phillies Way” of training and how amped are you for the season to begin?
“The high performance camps so far have been very beneficial to me and how I like to train and go about business. I am super excited to get things going, it’s been eight months since I’ve been in a baseball game so I cannot wait to be back.”
What is your pitch arsenal, your go to pitch and what goals have you set for this coming season?
“My arsenal is a four seamer, curveball, cutter, and a splitter. Go to is definitely the curveball. This season I just want to see myself improve as a player, I want to be able to look back after the season and see that the steps that I took paid off and made me better in the end than I was at the start”
I thank Erik for answering my inquiries. We wish him well this season and in years to come. I’ve yet to see him throw in person but am anxious to do so, lefties with high spin and big break curve balls are always intriguing (that was me back in the day 🤓). Energy is also infectious and I think that Erik will bring that to the team he’s assigned to as well - good stuff!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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