Hunter Greene made a statement in his first start June 3rd, dominating the one of the best offenses in baseball in the Phillies and putting his Reds just a game out of the final National League Wild Card spot. The “Greene Machine” takes the top spot on our Week 20 #HighFive List.
1. Hunter Greene
Hunter Greene picked up right where he left off in his first start after missing over two months dealing with a groin injury throwing six shut out innings, striking out six while only allowing three hits and no walks to get his first win since May 2nd.
Greene was off to a solid start in his fourth Major League season before having to be shelved, but his comeback could not come at a better time as his Reds have done just enough to stay afloat for the final National League Wild Card spot.
He and fellow rotation mate and Week 20 #HighFive member Chase Burns have a chance to become one of the best Black pitching tandems we have seen in a long time. Health will of course play a major factor, but no team will be comfortable facing the 100 MPH gas they throw as the pennant chase heats up.
Greene’s next start is scheduled for Tuesday in his hometown of Los Angeles, California against an Angels team that is hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive.
2. Josh Naylor
Same bat, different place is the case for the newest Seattle Mariner Josh Naylor as he finds himself on our #HighFive list once again, this time in the two spot.
READ: Josh Naylor Hits The Field Slugging In Seattle
His updated career-high stolen base total now sits at 22 and he has hits in eight out of 10 games in August putting his monthly slashline at .324/.395/.676 to go along with eight RBI and a .409 batting average in his last seven games.
His Mariners entered Thursday just a game out of the top spot in the American League West. They will travel to New York this weekend to take on a slumping Mets team in a cross coast interleague battle.
3. “Money” Michael Harris II
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 09: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates hitting a home run during the seventh inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 9, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
Michael Harris is playing some of the best baseball of his career after shaking off a slow start to 2025.
He has hits in seven of his last eight games including his second career grand slam Wednesday night that helped erase a six run deficit on the road against the Mets in what was the best win of the year for Atlanta.
READ: Michael Harris II Is On Fire Last 15 Games
Over his last seven games Harris has a .393 batting average, .76 slugging percentage, three home runs, eight RBI and a stolen base.
4. Chase Burns
Chase Burns had the best start of his career this week as he continues to find his place in the Majors.
He matched a career-high going six innings and striking out 10 batters for the fourth time in his last five starts. He surrendered only one walk and one earned run on three hits.
What Does Future Hold For Pitcher Chase Burns? He’s Already Breaking Records
The duo of Greene and Burns could be one of the top Black pitching tandems in Major League history, but they may be on hold until next year, as it is possible the Reds may skip some of Burns’ starts or move him to the bullpen to preserve his innings.
5. Xavier Edwards
(MLBbro.com)
Xavier Edwards has climbed all the way to second in the National League in batting average as he earns the final spot on our Week 20 #HighFive list.
Entering Thursday Edwards has hits in eight straight games including his second homer of the year,a leadoff bomb in Wednesday’s victory over the Guardians.
In addition to being just .07 behind Dodgers catcher Will Smith for the National League batting championship, Edwards is tied for fifth in the Senior Circuit in hits.
Edwards is hitting .394 with five RBI and four stolen bases over his last seven games.
This weekend his Marlins will travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox as they hope to keep their wild card hopes alive.
