Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene improved to 9-4 with another seven-inning, one run gem against the St. Louis Cardinals. He also stuck out 8. He hasn’t lost a game since June 30. Greene is officially in the Cy Young conversation.
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.”
“Rolls Royce” Lewis is off to the greatest start at the plate in the 123-year history of the Minnesota Twins franchise. Since returning from injury two weeks ago, he has been the best hitter in the Majors, posting a .429/.529/1.000 slash line with five home runs and seven RBI over his last seven games to claim the top spot on Week 12 of our #HighFive list.
It is a tragedy the 2017 first overall pick has only suited up in a Twins uniform for 85 games since debuting in 2022 thanks to a handful of injuries. Similar to their superstar Byron Buxton, who also has had trouble staying on the field, Lewis is a five-tool MVP candidate every time he steps out of the dugout; the only difference is Lewis has a higher ceiling.
Is it Foul or Fair To Say That Royce Lewis Is A Budding Superstar?
Lewis hit the 26th home run of his career Wednesday night, which is the most through the first 85 games in Twins history and eight more than the next closest player. “I do not do that slump thing,” Lewis told reporters postgame Wednesday after collecting an 0-for-5 Tuesday. “That is not a real thing for me. Everyday is a fresh start.”
Hunter Greene was all gas no breaks in his pitching duel versus the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night.
He earned the two spot on the #HighFive list after going 6.1 shutout innings and striking out nine without walking anyone. The start was the 10th time this season Greene has had more than 15 whiffs (swings and misses) in a start, which leads the Majors, while his 98 strikeouts rank seventh in the National League.
He will take on the Pirates again next Tuesday night, this time in front of the Cincinnati faithful.
Giancarlo Stanton is the biggest X-Factor in the Yankees lineup and has played well since June began.
Who Is The Most Important Yankees Player? Aaron Judge, Juan Soto Or Giancarlo Stanton?
This week he slashed .346/.414/.577 with two home runs, seven RBI while compiling a seven-game hitting streak. He has been one of the best hitters in the Majors with runners in scoring position this season and proved so with two big hits Wednesday against the Orioles.
First, with the Yankees down four he launched his 18th homer of the year — a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to make it a one-run game. Then, in the ninth with one out and a runner on second, Stanton singled in the tying run.
Thanks to being in a market as low on the totem pole as Cleveland is, Josh Naylor may not get the start at first base in the All-Star Game he rightfully deserves, but as long as he keeps mashing it at the plate, he will find his way to Arlington come July.
Down Bad: Only Five MLBbros Crack First Round of All-Star Voting
After a great start to the year Naylor struggled in May, hitting just .186 despite launching eight home runs. However Naylor has fought his way out of the slump, hitting .360 with a .448 on base percentage and two home runs over his last seven games. Both those homers came Wednesday night in a win over the Seattle Mariners. “When you see a swing like that, it is one that deserves to be in Texas, it can change games,” said Josh’s brother Bo Naylor when asked to campaign him for the All-Star Game.
Similar to Giancarlo Stanton, Cedric Mullins is the X-Factor that will decide the ultimate success of the Baltimore Orioles this season.
Mullins, who hit his first home run since April 26th Thursday afternoon, is hitting .292 with three RBI and two steals in his last seven games.
In Wednesday’s extra inning victory over the Yankees, Mullins put his skill set on full display in the 10th inning.
Mark & Manny Debate The Most Valuable Bro For 2023 | Is it Cedric Mullins or Mookie Betts ? Or…
Not only did he drive in what would end up being the game-winning run, he also stole third and caused a wild throw into the outfield to add on another. “That is what he can do when he gets on base,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said postgame when speaking on Mullins.
“He gets a single, a lot of times it is a double. If he gets a double, he gets an opportunity to take third. There is a lot he can do on the bases for us.”
Da Gambler Pushes Back on those who believe that Hunter Greene‘s winless record with the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds, somehow reflects his ability and future as a superstar MLBbro pitcher. Greene Machine, who agreed to a 6-year, $53M deal earlier this season, isn’t the first future Hall of Famer to struggle for wins as a young stud.
By Christian Crittenden
Cincinnati Reds pitching sensation Hunter Greene has pitched well enough to win several games with an ERA under 4.00, but has fallen on hard luck. Maybe the MLBbro fireball gets his first win on Monday against the Colorado Rockies.
Recent Comments