Staggering stat reveals exactly why Hunter Greene should be leading NL Cy Young race

If Coors Field is like pitching on the moon, then Great American Ball Park might be akin to doing so on Mars. Considering that Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene has only given up 10 home runs this year (seven at home) while making over half his starts in this home run-haven is another feather in the cap of a dominant season for the 25-year-old.

GABP has the fourth highest ballpark factor according to Baseball Savant, making it one of the worst places to pitch. The home run factor stands out the most, however, as the Reds' home stadium is tops in baseball for hitting home runs. Yet Greene manages this beautifully and doesn’t get beat by the long ball like many pitchers in his situation would.

Greene has been awesome this year, making the leap Reds' fans have been waiting for. Despite it's overpowering velocity, Greene has struggled with his fastball early on in his career. That changed in 2024, where he has turned his bread-and-butter heater into an overpowering pitch.

Staggering stat reveals exactly why Hunter Greene should be leading NL Cy Young race

This propelled Greene to his first All-Star nod this year, and the Reds' starter has only gotten better since the break. Greene hasn’t given up a run since July 11th, going 20 innings while allowing just five hits, and striking out 23 batters during that span. This stretch has dropped his season ERA to 2.83 with 149 strikeouts and a 151 ERA+.

Greene is doing this all while turning into a bonafide innings eater, logging 130-plus in 2024 — already more than his previous career-high with a little less than two months to go in the season. He’s shown the ability to throw north of 100 pitches routinely and take his outings deep into the ballgame, and we know Cy Young voters love a good workhorse.

Chris Sale is the Cy Young favorite right now, but it’s not a done deal. Greene, rookie phenom Paul Skenes, top trade acquistion from the offseason Dylan Cease, and Philadelphia Phillies studs Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez, are all in the conversation at this point in the year.

Greene is still a long shot at the moment, but if he continues to dominate like he has following the All-Star break, it’s going to be very hard to overlook him as a Cy Young contender. 

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