Reds: 4 prospects who could make an impact in September

DENVER, CO - JULY 11: Jose Barrero #50 of National League Futures Team runs the bases after hitting a first inning solo home run.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 11: Jose Barrero #50 of National League Futures Team runs the bases after hitting a first inning solo home run.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (79) waits for a signal.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (79) waits for a signal.Los Angeles Angels At Cincinnati Reds

4. Hunter Greene, Reds pitcher

Much like Jose Barrero, Hunter Greene looks like a star in the making. The 22-year-old began the 2021 season at Double-A Chattanooga and was promoted to Triple-A Louisville after just seven starts for the Lookouts. Greene has now started nine games for the Louisville Bats, and I’ll be curious to see if the Cincinnati Reds decide bring the right-hander to the bigs in September.

This may be one of the more difficult September call-ups to predict. If Cincinnati was out of playoff contention, it’d be easy to make the case for Greene to get his feet wet. However, with the Reds rotation set, you’d have to assume that if Greene were to get the call, he’d be operating out of the Cincinnati bullpen.

That may not be such a bad thing, as the flame-throwing right-hander can touch over 100-MPH with his four-seam fastball. In 44.2 innings of work at Triple-A Louisville, Hunter Greene has 60 punch outs and a 3.63 ERA.

Considering that the Reds’ Achilles heel throughout much of the season has been the bullpen, one would assume that Greene’s fastball alone could cause enough swings and misses for the Reds’ brass to consider adding the former first-round pick to the active roster.

A corresponding move would have to take place, as Hunter Greene is currently not part of the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster. However, one could easily see R.J. Alaniz or Cionel Perez let go in order to make room for Greene.

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