Hunter Greene has been sensational so far during his 2024 All-Star campaign. The hard-throwing right-hander has been virtually untouchable and currently ranks in the National League’s top five in strikeouts (149), ERA (2.83), WHIP (1.02), and wins. Among pitchers with at least 125 innings pitched this season, Greene carries the fifth-lowest ERA in the Majors.
Over his last four starts, Greene enjoyed one of the most productive stretches of his career, going 3-0 with a 0.35 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and just 7 hits allowed during that span. This includes a dazzling 11-strikeout, one-hit performance in his most recent start against the Giants that extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings. Given his efficiency, the 25-year-old Greene should be in consideration for the National League Cy Young Award – a rare feat for Black big leaguers.
“The overall growth that he has made all-around in his game this year has been a pleasure to watch,” Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. “He’s the ace of this team, and he’s showing that.”
It’s been 12 years since a Black pitcher won the illustrious Cy Young Award. To find the most recent Black recipient of the National League Cy Young Award, one would have to revert 39 years to Dwight “Doc” Gooden’s historic 1985 season with the Mets. This year, Greene could buck the trend and finish his breakout season as the Cy Young Award winner.
In his third season with Cincinnati, Greene has established himself as one of the premier pitchers in the Majors. His improved command has proved difficult for batters to contend with, and Greene’s lively fastball has been as effective as ever. While the average velocity on Greene’s fastball has dipped a bit, as has the whiff rate, opponents are batting just .183 against it. Comparatively, batters hit .265 against it last year and .261 against it in 2022.
Despite a slight drop in velocity, Greene’s fastball is still one of the best in baseball and ranks as the second-fastest pitch (97.7 MPH) among pitchers to throw at least 750 fastballs, trailing only the Angels José Soriano (98.1 mph). Improving his fastball location has opened things up for his splitter and slider and has the right-hander on the verge of a 200-strikeout season.
“His command has been unbelievable,” said Stephenson. “When he’s sitting there painting corners and he’s throwing as hard as he is and being able to throw his slider whenever he wants in counts, I just feel like his command has been a game-changer.”
During the first half of the season, Greene posted an impressive 1.11 WHIP and ranked ninth in the Majors in strikeouts. The former second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft was then justifiably rewarded with his first All-Star selection.
“Being an All-Star is a huge privilege,” Greene said. “It means a lot. It’s a blessing. When you can get an All-Star [selection] this early in your career, I think it propels you in a lot of different ways.”
Greene has certainly elevated his game this season. The young hurler hasn’t just been good, he’s been historically good. Per OptaSTATS, Greene is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to throw at least 30 innings while allowing no more than 10 hits and no more than 1 run over a five-start span. His ten combined hits over his past five outings are the fewest by a Reds pitcher (min. 25 IP) in a calendar month since 1900.
While fellow aces Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Tyler Glasnow, and Paul Skenes will challenge him for the award, Greene’s mind-boggling numbers should keep him in strong consideration for the National League Cy Young honors. For Greene, however, accolades aren’t the goal, and the Reds ace is focused on constant improvement.
“The work — it doesn’t stop,” Greene said. “I’m trying to pick things out in my game that I can get better at throughout the game. That’s been my focus, my mindset. I’m trying to find ways to be even better.”
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