Ryan Ritter hits first MLB home run with Coach Mingione in attendance

The Colorado Rockies are in Cincinnati for a weekend series against the Reds, but more than a few Kentucky fans found themselves cheering for the away team. Well, at least for an away team player. Former Kentucky Bat Cat, Ryan Ritter, met up with his former coach, Nick Mingione, before the game, who was in attendance with Wildcat pitching coach, Dan Roszel, and their sons to watch their former player in the big leagues.

Ritter made their trip up I-75 worth it. In the third inning, he hit a two-run home run, the first of his major league career.

pic.twitter.com/s9Bo4cmkwS Former Kentucky shortstop, Ryan Ritter, hit his first major league home run with Coach Mingione in attendance.

Sports.

— Adam Stratton (@AdamStrattonKSR) July 12, 2025

The Rockies drafted Ritter in the 4th round of the 2022 MLB Draft after spending 2021 in Lexington, where he hit .275 with three home runs in 52 starts. More known as a defensive specialist, Ritter picked a good time to showcase his power in front of several Kentucky fans, but none more important to him than his former coach.

Family never fades! @RyRit47 in the big leagues. @Coach_Mingione and @roszeld and their sons joining him in Cincinnati today! pic.twitter.com/bQiKzqOBSR

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) July 12, 2025

Saturday’s blast wasn’t Ritter’s only big hit of the season. Earlier this year, he made history by becoming the only player to ever hit a triple in his first career MLB at-bat. The stories he’ll tell his grandkids one day are stacking up fast.

Ritter entered the day hitting .225 through 89 at-bats in 29 games played with the Rockies this season. Thankfully for all the combo Kentucky/Reds fans, they got the best of both worlds. In addition to Ritter’s sentimental homer, Cincy won in the bottom of the 9th inning in walk-off fashion.

The summer of Elly continues.

REDS. RALLIED. #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/OKS9RZLmYS

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 12, 2025