All you need to know about why is Cincinnati Reds’ starting pitcher Hunter Greene is not playing in the Major League Baseball.
The rise of the Cincinnati Reds to the top of the National League Central division has been one of the most intriguing developments in Major League Baseball this month. The fact that the Reds have accomplished this feat with almost no help from their starting rotation is a remarkable testament to the strength of the core group of position players in Cincinnati.
Fans of the Cincinnati Reds who are hoping for a speedy recovery from right-handed pitcher Hunter Greene, who was placed on the injured list last week due to discomfort in his right hip, will have to keep their fingers crossed that other starters will be able to pick up the slack for quite some time. According to the reports, Greene is going to Arizona for a strength training program, and then he will have to immediately transition into a throwing program that will last anywhere from four to six weeks.
Greene, who is 23 years old, is currently leading the Reds in innings pitched with 73 1/3, and he has been their most consistent starter for the entirety of the 2023 season. He has improved significantly since his rookie year in 2022, primarily as a result of a decrease in the number of home runs that he has allowed (1.72 HR/9 in 2022, 1.10 HR/9 in 2023).
To say that a prolonged absence from Greene isn’t what an already disappointing Reds rotation needed would be an understatement. Even with Greene’s strong production at the forefront of the group, Cincinnati starters have a 5.88 earned run average, which places them 28th in the Major Leagues. Only the Rockies and A’s have a worse mark in this regard. The Reds’ starting rotation has the eighth-highest walk rate in Major League Baseball (8.8%), and it has given up home runs at a rate that is third-highest among all starting staffs in the game (1.68 HR/9).
Greene and Nick Lodolo, another sophomore starter and a former top prospect, will both now be sidelined beyond the trade deadline of August 1. Lodolo is dealing with a stress reaction in his tibia. Greene will also be sidelined. This leaves Cincinnati with a rotation that is currently led by top prospect Andrew Abbott, who has posted a perfect 1.21 earned run average through his first five big league turns on the mound.
When was Hunter Greene drafted into the MLB?
Hunter Greene was drafted into Major League Baseball (MLB) on June 12, 2017, when he was selected as the second overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds. His college and school career played a significant role in his journey to the MLB. Born on August 6, 1999, in Stevenson Ranch, California, Greene attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. As a high school student-athlete, he showcased exceptional skills as both a pitcher and a shortstop, capturing the attention of scouts and baseball enthusiasts nationwide.
Greene’s remarkable talent on the mound and at the plate earned him numerous accolades during his high school career. He consistently displayed a fastball that reached triple digits on the radar gun, along with a repertoire of impressive secondary pitches. His abilities as a shortstop were equally impressive, demonstrating his overall athleticism and versatility as a player.
Following his high school success, Greene committed to play college baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). However, after being drafted by the Reds with such a high selection, Greene decided to forgo his college eligibility and signed with the team.
Greene’s transition to professional baseball began in the Reds’ minor league system, where he continued to refine his skills as a pitcher. However, his journey faced a setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2018, which required a lengthy rehabilitation process. Since recovering from his injury, Greene has worked his way back and has showcased his talent in the minor leagues. His impressive fastball and overall pitching repertoire have reaffirmed his status as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects and has translated it into the majors as well.
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