Hunter Greene

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #2 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After developing the hardest-throwing pitcher of the 21st century in Aroldis Chapman, the Reds now have the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in baseball. Fully recovered from his 2019 Tommy John surgery, Greene touched 105 mph during Reds spring training, 104 mph during the season and had three different starts where he had 30-plus pitches of 100 mph or harder. He earned a quick promotion to Triple-A Louisville but struggled at times against more experienced hitters. He missed one August start with an irritated AC joint in his right shoulder, but returned to make five more starts.
  
  Scouting Report: For as hard as Greene throws, his plus-plus fastball is hittable because it has relatively modest life and carry. If a hitter can time it, he can square it up. Nine of the 11 home runs Greene gave up after his promotion to Triple-A came against his fastball, usually when he pitched up in the zone. Greene’s combination of a very smooth, fluid delivery and easy-to-pick-up release point means his fastball often doesn’t play to its velocity. When Greene is throwing his plus slider for strikes, the combination of it and his fastball can be diabolical. Hitters have to be looking for his fastball, so even if they recognize his slider, all they can do is watch it go by. His improved slider is still inconsistent. Greene doesn’t show much confidence in his high-80s changeup, but thanks to his fastball velocity it’s an effective chase pitch against lefties. He has above-average control to go with his plus stuff.
  
  The Future: There’s every reason to develop Greene as a starter, although his fallback option is as the hardest-throwing closer in the game.
  
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #5 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 45. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Greene’s 100 mph fastball made him a premium talent in high school, and the Reds drafted him second overall in 2017 and signed him for $7.23 million. He struggled early in his pro career and was shut down in July 2018 with an elbow ligament sprain. Greene attempted to rehab the injury, but eventually had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019. He returned in 2020 and spent the year at the Reds’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene showed his velocity was back to its pre-injury levels at the alternate site. He sat 96-97 mph and touched 102, though his stuff played well below its velocity. His four-seamer lacks vertical movement to help miss bats and his sinker is relatively straight. Greene added a promising but inconsistent 90-93 mph cutter at the alternate site. His 80-85 mph slider is a bigger, sweepier pitch that flashes plus. Greene’s fringe-average changeup needs refinement to give him a pitch for lefties, who have hit .321/.411/.571 against him. Greene’s easy delivery gives him a chance for above-average control, though he’s pitched below that so far in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene’s delivery and effortless velocity fit as a starter, but his repertoire needs work. He’ll return to game action for the first time in two years in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Reds drafted Greene second overall in 2017 and inked him to a $7.23 million bonus. Cincinnati opted to develop him as a pitcher rather than a shortstop or two-way player, which was at least a possibility given the power he showed in high school. His hitting ability raised some questions among evaluators, while his arm strength, pure stuff and athleticism on the mound were too enticing to put on the backburner. Greene saw 30 at-bats as a DH and tossed just 4.1 innings for Rookie-level Billings after signing in 2017. He didn't dominate in 2018 for low Class A Dayton, but he posted an impressive 11.72 strikeouts per nine innings thanks to his power stuff. He didn't throw a single fastball under 100 mph at the 2018 Futures Game. A sprained ulnar collateral ligament, however, cut his season short in late July. After attempting to rehab his elbow in the offseason, Greene suffered a setback in spring training and had Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene's easy delivery and top-of-the-scale fastball are his main calling cards. His delivery is clean and easy for him to repeat from his three-quarters arm slot. It allows him to be in and around the strike zone with sound command of his fastball. Greene's arm strength is premium. His fastball has touched 103 mph, most notably in the 2018 Futures Game, and sits comfortably in the 98-100 mph range. While his fastball is electric, evaluators have noted batters see the ball well out of his hand and are able to square it up more frequently than is optimal. In addition to his high-octane fastball, Greene has enough arm speed to snap off a slider with good angle and downward biting action. Greene's slider is his best secondary offering and projects as plus while showing the ability to miss bats. His changeup lags behind his other offerings but projects average with his ability to maintain consistent arm speed during his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene is slated to begin building up innings on the mound in 2020 barring any setbacks. Besides proving a clean bill of health, Greene needs to improve his changeup in order to have a true off-speed weapon and a stronger chance at staying in the rotation. The righthander's pure stuff and delivery should give him a chance to pitch at the front of a rotation, but the Reds will rightfully continue to exercise caution.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #2 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The second pick in the 2017 draft, Greene had a rough introduction to low Class A Dayton. He posted a 14.63 ERA in four April starts but turned around his season by throwing more strikes and getting better luck on balls in play. He had to be shut down in late July because of a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He resumed throwing off a mound in mid-December and is expected to be full speed for spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: Greene topped out at 103 mph in the Futures Game and regularly sat 97-100 in 2018. The righthander throws both a heavy two-seam fastball as well as a four-seamer. Evaluators have worried that Greene’s clean delivery and straight fastball make it too easy for opponents to pick up the ball out of his hand. His mid-80s slider has three-quarters break that features good plane and downward bite. It projects as a plus pitch. Greene has the arm action to be able to throw a future average changeup, but it’s generally his worst pitch and explains in part why lefties hit .298/.397/.567.
  
  The Future: The Reds will be cautious with Greene, but if he shows he’s fully healthy in spring training, he’s ready for high Class A.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #2 prospect in 2018
  The Reds were ecstatic when Greene “fell” to them as the second pick in the draft and paid him a $7.23 million bonus that is a record for the current draft format. The prep righthander was not only touted as the best player in the draft, but he also offered pro potential as both a power-hitting shortstop and a pitcher. Some scouts said he had the strongest and easiest arm they had ever seen in a shortstop. The Reds drafted Greene as a pitcher and let him DH at Rookie-level Billings as he built up his arm, but his days of playing shortstop are behind him. Greene said he's a full-time pitcher going forward. Greene pitches at 98-100 mph and touches 102 with a top-of-the-scale fastball. What's most notable is how easy he gets to triple-digit velocity. His slider flashes plus and his changeup has been more consistently plus, but he still is inconsistent with both of them–they were a little sharper in the summer before his senior year than they were in the leadup to the draft. He commands his fastball well, even when nearing the century mark, although scouts looking for nits to pick note that hitters seem to see the ball well coming out of Greene's hand, which helps explain why he gave up a .400 average against in Billings in his brief debut. At the plate he's shown raw power, but scouts worried about his hit tool. A steady glove at shortstop, he also has an obvious top-of-the-scale arm. The Reds will ease Greene into his first full year of pro ball, likely starting out at low Class A Dayton on tight pitch counts.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #1 prospect in 2017 draft
  Greene is one of the most intriguing draft prospects of the past few decades. In a class loaded with legitimate two-way prospects, the UCLA recruit is the cream of the crop. He's a smooth defender at shortstop with plus body control and glove actions to go with plus-plus arm strength. Greene is a below-average runner and possesses a physical 6-foot-4 frame, which lead to questions about his future position if he hits. Offensively, Greene's calling card is his loud righthanded power; he was a regular home run derby participant and winner on the high school showcase circuit. His pure hitting ability is behind the rest of his tools, and he is still raw in terms of his timing and ability to barrel breaking pitches. Despite a first-round draft profile as a hitter, Greene is more likely to reach the majors as a righthanded pitcher. He has an exceptionally athletic delivery with an easy finish, and he pitched mostly at 95-99 throughout the spring of his senior season, with his fastball reaching as high as 102 mph for some scouts, while others had him topping out at 101. He was throwing both a slider and a curveball as a senior, with his slider figuring to be a bigger part of his future. Thrown in the low 80s, the pitch flashes slurvy tilt and earns above-average projections from scouts. He throws all four of his pitches for strikes. Greene has focused on pitching off his fastball and doesn't have as many reps with his offspeed stuff as a result. He flashes feel for his changeup, which scouts feel comfortable projecting given Greene's advanced command and athleticism. Greene has massive hands with thick fingers, elements that tend to predict quick changeup growth. Greene was a high-achieving student and scored a 31 on the ACT, a score that ranks among the top three percent of all students taking the test. In the winter prior to his senior spring, he organized a sock drive for the homeless, sending autographed cards of himself to fans who donated socks. Greene was a disciple of Alan Jaeger at seven years old and has specific training techniques that he's reluctant to stray from at the next level. He long tosses prior to games and actively practices yoga to keep himself flexible and present. He also began training at MLB's Urban Youth Academy when he was seven and learned from future Major Leaguers such as Aaron Hicks and Anthony Gose. Greene will be 17 at the time of the draft and won't turn 18 until August. Greene stopped pitching roughly six weeks prior to the draft to protect his arm. He is a candidate to be the first ever high school righthanded pitcher to be selected with the first overall pick, and is unlikely to slip out of the top five on draft day.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #5 prospect in 2021
  Greene had a lot to prove in 2021 and made good by dominating Double-A competition and quickly moving to Triple-A, where he spent most of the season. Drafted No. 2 overall in 2017, Greene had not advanced past Low-A when Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2019 season and the pandemic scuttled his 2020 comeback. Greene’s elite velocity came all the way back, and managers regarded his fastball as the best in the league. He fires easy triple-digits heat with a peak of 103 mph from a smooth, athletic delivery. His fastball command can be scattered, which hurt him more at Triple-A than with Chattanooga. The biggest positive development for Greene was getting more of a handle on his slider to upset opponents’ timing. It’s a bigger, sweepier pitch in the low-to-mid 80s that flashes plus and plays well when Greene locates his fastball up. He doesn’t throw much of a changeup, which could hinder his development as a starter but wouldn’t prevent him from becoming an elite closer.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #5 prospect in 2018
  Greene's season started and ended terribly. In between, he showed the promise expected from the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. In April, Greene was tagged with a 14.63 ERA in eight innings. Then his season ended in late July with an injured elbow ligament. Greene made significant progress as a pitcher. His athleticism and arm strength are apparent. He easily reached triple digits with regularity. The steady improvement of his potentially plus slider and average changeup helped him find success. Greene has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter thanks to his blazing fastball, promising slider and changeup and usable curveball. His elbow injury is a complicating factor, but the Reds hopes he can rehab the injury.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #35 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #76 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #57 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #29 prospect in 2018

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After developing the hardest-throwing pitcher of the 21st century in Aroldis Chapman, the Reds now have the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in baseball. Fully recovered from his 2019 Tommy John surgery, Greene touched 105 mph during Reds spring training, 104 mph during the season and had three different starts where he had 30-plus pitches of 100 mph or harder. He earned a quick promotion to Triple-A Louisville but struggled at times against more experienced hitters. He missed one August start with an irritated AC joint in his right shoulder, but returned to make five more starts.
  
  Scouting Report: For as hard as Greene throws, his plus-plus fastball is hittable because it has relatively modest life and carry. If a hitter can time it, he can square it up. Nine of the 11 home runs Greene gave up after his promotion to Triple-A came against his fastball, usually when he pitched up in the zone. Greene’s combination of a very smooth, fluid delivery and easy-to-pick-up release point means his fastball often doesn’t play to its velocity. When Greene is throwing his plus slider for strikes, the combination of it and his fastball can be diabolical. Hitters have to be looking for his fastball, so even if they recognize his slider, all they can do is watch it go by. His improved slider is still inconsistent. Greene doesn’t show much confidence in his high-80s changeup, but thanks to his fastball velocity it’s an effective chase pitch against lefties. He has above-average control to go with his plus stuff.
  
  The Future: There’s every reason to develop Greene as a starter, although his fallback option is as the hardest-throwing closer in the game.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Greene had a lot to prove in 2021 and made good by dominating Double-A competition and quickly moving to Triple-A, where he spent most of the season. Drafted No. 2 overall in 2017, Greene had not advanced past Low-A when Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2019 season and the pandemic scuttled his 2020 comeback. Greene’s elite velocity came all the way back, and managers regarded his fastball as the best in the league. He fires easy triple-digits heat with a peak of 103 mph from a smooth, athletic delivery. His fastball command can be scattered, which hurt him more at Triple-A than with Chattanooga. The biggest positive development for Greene was getting more of a handle on his slider to upset opponents’ timing. It’s a bigger, sweepier pitch in the low-to-mid 80s that flashes plus and plays well when Greene locates his fastball up. He doesn’t throw much of a changeup, which could hinder his development as a starter but wouldn’t prevent him from becoming an elite closer.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 45. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Greene's 100 mph fastball made him a premium talent in high school, and the Reds drafted him second overall in 2017 and signed him for $7.23 million. He struggled early in his pro career and was shut down in July 2018 with an elbow ligament sprain. Greene attempted to rehab the injury, but eventually had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019. He returned in 2020 and spent the year at the Reds' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene showed his velocity was back to its pre-injury levels at the alternate site. He sat 96-97 mph and touched 102, though his stuff played well below its velocity. His four-seamer lacks vertical movement to help miss bats and his sinker is relatively straight. Greene added a promising but inconsistent 90-93 mph cutter at the alternate site. His 80-85 mph slider is a bigger, sweepier pitch that flashes plus. Greene's fringe-average changeup needs refinement to give him a pitch for lefties, who have hit .321/.411/.571 against him. Greene's easy delivery gives him a chance for above-average control, though he's pitched below that so far in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene's delivery and effortless velocity fit as a starter, but his repertoire needs work. He'll return to game action for the first time in two years in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 45. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Greene’s 100 mph fastball made him a premium talent in high school, and the Reds drafted him second overall in 2017 and signed him for $7.23 million. He struggled early in his pro career and was shut down in July 2018 with an elbow ligament sprain. Greene attempted to rehab the injury, but eventually had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019. He returned in 2020 and spent the year at the Reds’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene showed his velocity was back to its pre-injury levels at the alternate site. He sat 96-97 mph and touched 102, though his stuff played well below its velocity. His four-seamer lacks vertical movement to help miss bats and his sinker is relatively straight. Greene added a promising but inconsistent 90-93 mph cutter at the alternate site. His 80-85 mph slider is a bigger, sweepier pitch that flashes plus. Greene’s fringe-average changeup needs refinement to give him a pitch for lefties, who have hit .321/.411/.571 against him. Greene’s easy delivery gives him a chance for above-average control, though he’s pitched below that so far in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene’s delivery and effortless velocity fit as a starter, but his repertoire needs work. He’ll return to game action for the first time in two years in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 45. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Greene’s 100 mph fastball made him a premium talent in high school, and the Reds drafted him second overall in 2017 and signed him for $7.23 million. He struggled early in his pro career and was shut down in July 2018 with an elbow ligament sprain. Greene attempted to rehab the injury, but eventually had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019. He returned in 2020 and spent the year at the Reds’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene showed his velocity was back to its pre-injury levels at the alternate site. He sat 96-97 mph and touched 102, though his stuff played well below its velocity. His four-seamer lacks vertical movement to help miss bats and his sinker is relatively straight. Greene added a promising but inconsistent 90-93 mph cutter at the alternate site. His 80-85 mph slider is a bigger, sweepier pitch that flashes plus. Greene’s fringe-average changeup needs refinement to give him a pitch for lefties, who have hit .321/.411/.571 against him. Greene’s easy delivery gives him a chance for above-average control, though he’s pitched below that so far in pro ball.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene’s delivery and effortless velocity fit as a starter, but his repertoire needs work. He’ll return to game action for the first time in two years in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Reds drafted Greene second overall in 2017 and inked him to a $7.23 million bonus. Cincinnati opted to develop him as a pitcher rather than a shortstop or two-way player, which was at least a possibility given the power he showed in high school. His hitting ability raised some questions among evaluators, while his arm strength, pure stuff and athleticism on the mound were too enticing to put on the backburner. Greene saw 30 at-bats as a DH and tossed just 4.1 innings for Rookie-level Billings after signing in 2017. He didn’t dominate in 2018 for low Class A Dayton, but he posted an impressive 11.72 strikeouts per nine innings thanks to his power stuff. He didn’t throw a single fastball under 100 mph at the 2018 Futures Game. A sprained ulnar collateral ligament, however, cut his season short in late July. After attempting to rehab his elbow in the offseason, Greene suffered a setback in spring training and had Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene’s easy delivery and top-of-the-scale fastball are his main calling cards. His delivery is clean and easy for him to repeat from his three-quarters arm slot. It allows him to be in and around the strike zone with sound command of his fastball. Greene’s arm strength is premium. His fastball has touched 103 mph, most notably in the 2018 Futures Game, and sits comfortably in the 98-100 mph range. While his fastball is electric, evaluators have noted batters see the ball well out of his hand and are able to square it up more frequently than is optimal. In addition to his high-octane fastball, Greene has enough arm speed to snap off a slider with good angle and downward biting action. Greene’s slider is his best secondary offering and projects as plus while showing the ability to miss bats. His changeup lags behind his other offerings but projects average with his ability to maintain consistent arm speed during his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene is slated to begin building up innings on the mound in 2020 barring any setbacks. Besides proving a clean bill of health, Greene needs to improve his changeup in order to have a true off-speed weapon and a stronger chance at staying in the rotation. The righthander’s pure stuff and delivery should give him a chance to pitch at the front of a rotation, but the Reds will rightfully continue to exercise caution. SCOUTING GRADES Fastball: 80. Slider: 60 Changeup: 50. Control: 50. BA GRADE 60 Risk: Extreme
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Reds drafted Greene second overall in 2017 and inked him to a $7.23 million bonus. Cincinnati opted to develop him as a pitcher rather than a shortstop or two-way player, which was at least a possibility given the power he showed in high school. His hitting ability raised some questions among evaluators, while his arm strength, pure stuff and athleticism on the mound were too enticing to put on the backburner. Greene saw 30 at-bats as a DH and tossed just 4.1 innings for Rookie-level Billings after signing in 2017. He didn't dominate in 2018 for low Class A Dayton, but he posted an impressive 11.72 strikeouts per nine innings thanks to his power stuff. He didn't throw a single fastball under 100 mph at the 2018 Futures Game. A sprained ulnar collateral ligament, however, cut his season short in late July. After attempting to rehab his elbow in the offseason, Greene suffered a setback in spring training and had Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Greene's easy delivery and top-of-the-scale fastball are his main calling cards. His delivery is clean and easy for him to repeat from his three-quarters arm slot. It allows him to be in and around the strike zone with sound command of his fastball. Greene's arm strength is premium. His fastball has touched 103 mph, most notably in the 2018 Futures Game, and sits comfortably in the 98-100 mph range. While his fastball is electric, evaluators have noted batters see the ball well out of his hand and are able to square it up more frequently than is optimal. In addition to his high-octane fastball, Greene has enough arm speed to snap off a slider with good angle and downward biting action. Greene's slider is his best secondary offering and projects as plus while showing the ability to miss bats. His changeup lags behind his other offerings but projects average with his ability to maintain consistent arm speed during his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Greene is slated to begin building up innings on the mound in 2020 barring any setbacks. Besides proving a clean bill of health, Greene needs to improve his changeup in order to have a true off-speed weapon and a stronger chance at staying in the rotation. The righthander's pure stuff and delivery should give him a chance to pitch at the front of a rotation, but the Reds will rightfully continue to exercise caution.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Commonly referred to as having the most pure talent of any prospect in the Reds’ system, Greene was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft thanks in large part to a lightning-quick right arm that regularly produces 100 mph fastballs, and he’s kept that velocity in pro ball. While the results were shaky at the beginning of his first full season, Greene has pitched better as of late, posting a 3.02 ERA over his last 11 starts. Overall, he has struck out 80 hitters through 63.1 innings, showcasing his 80-grade fastball, potentially plus slider and feel for a third-pitch changeup.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Reds were ecstatic when Greene "fell" to them as the second pick in the draft and paid him a $7.23 million bonus that is a record for the current draft format. The prep righthander offered pro potential as both a power-hitting shortstop and a pitcher. The Reds drafted him as a pitcher and let him DH at Rookie-level Billings as he built up his arm. Greene said he's a full-time pitcher going forward. Scouting Report: Greene pitches at 98-100 mph and touches 102 with a top-of-the-scale fastball. What's most notable is how easy he gets to triple-digit velocity. His slider flashes plus and his changeup has been more consistently plus, but he still is inconsistent with both of them. He commands his fastball well, even when nearing the century mark, although scouts looking for nits to pick note that hitters seem to see the ball well coming out of Greene's hand. At the plate he's shown raw power, but scouts worried about his hit tool. A steady glove at shortstop, he also has an obvious plus-plus arm. The Future: The Reds will ease Greene into his first full year of pro ball, likely starting out at low Class A Dayton on tight pitch counts.