Reds' Hunter Greene continues to be under-appreciated in Cincy after latest snub

Every year the Baseball Writers' Association of America Cincinnati Chapter hands out end-of-the-year awards, and more times than not, they get it right. But this season, the organization missed it by a mile.

Elly De La Cruz received the Ernie Lombardi Award as the Cincinnati Reds Most Valuable Player and Luke Maile was the recipient of the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award. Few, if any, Reds fans would take any issue with that. But handing Nick Martinez the Johnny Vander Meer Award for the team's most outstanding pitcher is a slap in the face to Hunter Greene.

Reds' pitcher Hunter Greene snubbed by Cincy's BBWAA after All-Star season

That's in no way a shot at Martinez—who pitched exceedingly well, especially during the month of September—but Greene was Cincinnati's best pitcher in 2024 and it really wasn't close. In terms of fWAR, ERA, strikeout rate, and innings pitched, Greene is the clear winner. Martinez did walk fewer batters and served as both a starter and reliever, but in terms of pure numbers, Greene's stats are just better.

There would seem to be some recency bias as well. Martinez began the season as a member of the Reds starting rotation, but was removed midway through the season after posting a 4.81 ERA through his first 11 games, five of which were starts. In fact, 23 of Martinez's 25 earned runs during that stretch came as a starter with the right-hander allowing five runs in four of his first five starts. Martinez was then dominant down the stretch a posted a 0.83 ERA during the month of September.

Greene spent time on the IL this season, and that's only conceivable reason that the BBWAA Cincinnati Chapter selected Martinez over Greene. But for Greene to surpasses Martinez in nearly every statistical category in spite of his six-week absence is a testament to his dominance. In fact, prior to his injury, Greene was mentioned as a potential Cy Young candidate.

Hats off to Martinez for a fantastic season, but he is in no way deserving to be named the Reds' most outstanding pitcher this season. That honor should have gone to Greene.

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