All the details you need to know about Hunter Greene’s new contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
According to an announcement made by the team on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds and the young right-handed starting pitcher Hunter Greene have reached an agreement on a contract extension for a period of six years. The agreement has a base value of $53 million and includes a club option for an additional $21 million for the year 2029.
Greene, who is 23 years old, has already made 28 career starts in the major leagues and has displayed brilliant moments on multiple occasions. After graduating from high school in 2017, the Reds selected him in the first round of the draught, making him the second overall pick.
He is one of the youngest pitchers to be given a contract extension at this stage in his career. In his career in Major League Baseball (MLB), he had a record of 5-13 with a 4.42 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 188 strikeouts in 142 2/3 innings pitched. Although his consistency has been an issue, he already has three outings under his credit with ten or more strikeouts, and he even came close to throwing a no-hitter during the previous season.
When he is in control, Greene, who is 6 feet and 5 inches tall, is overwhelming. His fastball averages 99.2 miles per hour, making it the quickest and most powerful among starting pitchers in all of the big leagues.
It is important to note that a significant portion of this contract comes from the Reds’ perspective and involves cost certainty. Greene was not expected to become eligible for salary arbitration until the end of the 2024 season, and he was not expected to become free agent until the end of the 2027 season. The agreement takes effect at the beginning of this season and then buys out Greene’s first two years of free agency.
On Hunter Greene’s end of the bargaining table, attaining the financial security over the long term had to have been a significant selling factor as well. He has been of tremendous value to the Reds, and it appears that he will continue to play for them in the foreseeable future.
The rebuilding process for the Reds is centered around a group of starting pitchers, despite the fact that they have a record of 7-9 to start the season and are not necessarily expected to compete just yet. Greene is, without a doubt, included in that group, which also includes Nick Lodolo, a starter with enormous potential, and Graham Ashcraft, a reliable right-handed pitcher.
Lodolo is scheduled to start Tuesday night’s game against the Rays. He comes into the game with a record of 2-0, a 2.12 earned run average, and 27 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. Despite being a lefty, he is immensely powerful due to his height (6 feet 6 inches) and overwhelming presence. It is a pleasant surprise that they have one from both sides. Then there is Ashcraft, a right-handed pitcher who is 25 years old and provides a bit of variety in comparison to the strikeout machines. This season, through three starts, he has a 1.42 earned run average with 17 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched.
The front management of the Reds made a smart move when they were able to get Greene with this contract. It will be fascinating to observe if or not they are successful in negotiating comparable arrangements with Lodolo and Ashcraft. Nick Lodolo, who was starting for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day the year before, stood in the tunnel leading to the clubhouse and observed the pregame introductions.
Lodolo began his first professional season with the Reds as a member of the rotation for the team. However, due to the steps that needed to be taken, he was not included on the big league roster until the sixth game of the season.
This year, the Reds will begin the season with Lodolo as the No. 2 starter in their rotation.
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