Hunter Greene

[Ron Madden]

Cincinati Reds pitching prospect Hunter Greene didn’t expect to wear the No. 21 in spring training, so he didn’t know what he had in store for him when he walked into the big league clubhouse for the first time this year.

Greene found out his locker was right next to first baseman Joey Votto’s. On the first day of camp, Greene told Votto he planned to ask him questions all spring. But he knew he had to find the right balance

Greene is in the mix to open the year in the Reds starting rotation.

“He’ll have to continue to grow at the Major League level, too,” Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said. “It’s all about fitting him with the rest of the pieces and his growth in Major League Baseball. No matter what you do in the minor leagues, it’s not the major leagues. There’s another step for each guy.”

Johnson said he doesn’t believe a pitching prospect can prove he’s ready for the jump to MLB without actually pitching in MLB. One of his main talking points with the pitching staff is combining “the arts and the sciences” of pitching with each pitcher, and the final steps are perfecting your preparation and your mindset on the mound.

Greene took the initiative over the offseason to advance those skills. Over the winter, Greene spent a week with Sonny Gray to learn about making the adjustment to MLB.

“It was one of the most productive trips I’ve ever done when it comes to working with big league guys,” Greene said. Now Greene enters the spring in the mix to fill Gray’s spot in the rotation.

Johnson said the shortened spring training won’t impact Greene’s preparedness for the season. Now, Greene has an opportunity to show he’s ready for the next step.

“I’m not really evaluating Hunter against other pitchers,” Johnson said. “I’m looking at Hunter and then trying to fit the pieces as we go. Usually, there's a decent answer at the end.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...BingNewsSearch

[InsaneinthBrame]

I see no real way at the moment that Hunter Greene is not in the rotation. I am sure the Reds ownership want him there just to put butts in the seats

[Ron Madden]

I see no real way at the moment that Hunter Greene is not in the rotation. I am sure the Reds ownership want him there just to put butts in the seats

I would hate to see him rushed and crushed

But I'm thinking the same thing that you are.

[LeatherPants]

In Derick Johnson I trust

[MikeS21]

Now if Luis Castillo could only teach Hunter Greene how to throw a change-up.

[Ron Madden]

Now if Luis Castillo could only teach Hunter Greene how to throw a change-up.

that would be awesome

From the link in the original post

Greene’s biggest jump last year was with his slider. He added more velocity to the pitch, which made it sweep across the plate instead of toward the ground. He was reluctant at times to use his changeup last year, so he spent the offseason developing his changeup, throwing it often and building confidence.

[corkedbat]

Now if Luis Castillo could only teach Hunter Greene how to throw a change-up.

As long as he doesn't try to teach him how to pitch in April.

[MikeS21]

As long as he doesn't try to teach him how to pitch in April.

Touché!

[TNRED]

Seems like just a few years ago that the opinion around here and of the organization was that 23 and 24 year old pitchers were tiny babies with delicate arms that cant be rushed. Now a 22 year old who has pitched a grand total of 179 innings to mostly future insurance salesmen, is being thrown into the rotation.

[The Operator]

I have this horrible sinking feeling that we’re about to see Hunter and Lodolo both rushed to the bigs and ruined.


The Reds never learn. We went into 2017 with a whole rotation full of young guys and most of them flamed out.


Smart teams just do not throw young pitchers to the wolves like this, especially not several at once. There’s just too many innings that need covered.

[herbdizzle]

I think the lockout will help Greenes timeliness for this year. If we're looking at a 130 inning limit for Hunter that's about 25 major league starts. I'd ease him in and have him go to AAA starting May 1st. Give him 4-5 starts to work on his secondary stuff. If he shows out move him to the big club June 1st and leave him in the rotation for the rest of the year.

With today's pickup of Minor we can plug him into the 5th spot. Give Vlad and Sanmartin 2 months to see if they have what it takes. If they don't, slide them to the pen when Hunter gets called up. I'd do a similar timeline for Lodolo as well.

[mth123]

with Garrett gone, I'm guessing SanMartin in the pen.

Castillo
Mahle
Vlad
Minor
Greene

[corkedbat]

If Castillo and Mahle are dealt, I'd think if Dunn is healthy, they'll look to he and Minor to eat innings/starts (especially with Greene & Lodolo prolly approaching an innings wall after the deadline).

Would not surprise me to see Williamson debut in August either.

[corkedbat]

If Castillo and Mahle are dealt, I'd think if Dunn is healthy, they'll look to he and Minor to eat innings/starts (especially with Greene & Lodolo prolly approaching an innings wall after the deadline).

Would not surprise me to see Williamson debut in August either.

A season-finishing rotation of Williamson, Dunn - Minor - (Deadline Acquisition) - ???? (Will Greene &/or Lodolo be shut down?)

[CaiGuy]

A season-finishing rotation of Williamson, Dunn - Minor - (Deadline Acquisition) - ???? (Will Greene &/or Lodolo be shut down?)

I don't see why they would shut Lodolo down...he's barely pitched so if anything he needs innings.

With Greene, he only averages about 5 innings a start. So even at 30 starts, that's 150 innings. Maybe they skip a few starts, but even if he plays out the season he may not exceed his innings cap...whatever that is.


There will be injuries, though, so Minor definitely serves a purpose to eat some innings at the least. And we'll see Dunn, Williamson, and some AAAA type guys for sure.