Reds prospect Hunter Greene’s debut ranked best by Baseball America

Baseball America released its Hot Sheet, ranking baseball’s top prospects from the past week. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene came in at No. 1 following a dominant performance on the mound while pitching in two games for Double-A Chattanooga.

Greene started two games, logged 11 innings of work, and allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out 17 batters and walking only three. Greene, according to MLB Pipeline, is the team’s No. 2 ranked prospect.

Hunter Greene is just scratching the surface of his potential with the Reds.

Hunter Greene was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds, and there’s not a player in the farm system who brings more hype. Greene is well-regarded for his maturity, but even more so for his fastball that hits triple-digits on a consistent basis.

Greene, along with fellow first-round pick Nick Lodolo, began the season at Double-A Chattanooga. In three games this season, Greene owns a 1.69 ERA and a .143 batting average against. He’s allowed just one home run on eight hits and has 25 strikeouts over his 16 innings pitched.

Greene is only starting to realize his potential. The Reds shut Greene down before the close of the 2018 season due to arm trouble. A rehab of a sprained UCL eventually turned into Tommy John surgery, and this season is Greene’s first professional action in two-plus seasons.

His teammate Lodolo is off to a rocking start as well. The left-hander has a 1.08 ERA through 8.1 innings and has 13 strikeouts on the young season. This dynamic duo are likely to stay in the minor leagues throughout the 2021 season, though there’s an outside chance both could earn themselves a September call-up.

Also making Baseball America’s Hot List were former Cincinnati Reds prospect Taylor Trammell, and current minor leaguer Brian Rey. Rey is a member of the High-A Dayton Dragons. The 23-year-old infielder is off to hot start as well, slashing .579/.571/.1.053 last week with two round trippers and four RBIs.