The Cincinnati Reds had no problem giving away starting pitchers Wade Miley and Sonny Gray because they wanted to cut some payroll.
In the process, they inevitably entered a rebuilding phase, as they also lost catcher Tucker Barnhart, outfielders Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos, and infielder Eugenio Suarez.
However, at least in the rotation, they have a couple of top prospects ready to take a step forward and claim a rotation spot for the next few years: Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene.
Greene made his major league debut last week, and left us with some really impressive videos of his 100-mph heater.
“It’s a perfect first @MLB inning with two K’s and some 100 mph heat for @Reds‘ Hunter Greene,” MLB Pipeline’s official account tweeted on Sunday.
It's a perfect first @MLB inning with two K's and some 100 mph heat for @Reds' Hunter Greene. pic.twitter.com/sJOgLbGARY
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 10, 2022
The 22-year-old right-hander has one of the hardest fastballs in the game.
A Hard-Throwing Stud
During his debut on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, he routinely touched 102 mph and averaged 99.9 mph with his four-seamer.
His start was white-hot, and though he faded a bit towards the end of his outing and ended up allowing three earned runs in five innings, he kept a very good Braves offense in check.
It was good enough to take the win, though, which is quite an accomplishment for a rookie pitcher against the reigning World Series champions.
Greene touched triple-digits 20 times during his outing and struck out seven foes.
His stuff generated 14 swinging strikes, and didn’t have any notorious issues throwing strikes.
As long as his command helps him, he could, and should, be viewed as one of the candidates to win the NL Rookie of the Year award when all is said and done.
He is that talented.
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