Today is the day that we get to see the Major League debut of Hunter Greene. From the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 draft, through Tommy John surgery and missing two full seasons, to making his debut at age 22. He’ll take the mound this afternoon with the first pitch set for 1:35pm ET in Atlanta.
Starting Lineups
Here’s the lineup for Sunday’s contest:
Cincinnati Reds
|
Atlanta Braves
|
| Jonathan India – 2B | Eddie Rosario – RF |
| Tyler Naquin – DH | Matt Olson – 1B |
| Tommy Pham – LF | Austin Riley – 3B |
| Joey Votto – 1B | Marcell Ozuna – LF |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Ozzie Albies – 2B |
| Nick Senzel – CF | Adam Duvall – CF |
| Colin Moran – 3B | Alex Dickerson – DH |
| Kyle Farmer – SS | Travis d’Arnaud – C |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Dansby Swanson – SS |
| Hunter Greene – SP | Ian Anderson – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Stats are from 2021.
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB% | K% |
| Hunter Greene (MiLB) | 106.1 | 3.30 | 1.18 | 8.9% | 31.7% |
| Ian Anderson | 128.1 | 3.58 | 1.23 | 9.9% | 23.2% |
| Links: Hunter Greene’s Stats | Ian Anderson’s Stats |
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Hunter Greene
You never quite know what you’re going to get in a big league debut from a pitcher. The adrenaline is pumping a bit more than usual, the nerves are probably there a bit more than usual, and it’s just different having to face big league hitters. Greene has all of the stuff needed. We’ll have to wait and see if he can execute it tonight.
Last season in the minors he was better against right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters, but he did find success against both. Lefties did show off a bit of power against him, hitting seven homers against him in 164 trips to the plate. Greene’s focus on the change up in the offseason and more confidence in throwing it could make a difference in that particular split as it wasn’t a pitch he utilized quite as often in the minors as he seemed to in his limited action this spring.
2021 Splits (In AA and AAA)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 274 | 53 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 7.3% | 34.7% | .215 | .288 | .336 |
| LHH | 164 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11.6% | 26.8% | .229 | .323 | .396 |
Pitch Usage
We don’t have a breakdown for Hunter Greene since he was in the minors last season and they don’t have the detailed information for the public like we get in the big leagues. With that said he’ll work with a fastball that averaged 100 MPH last year, a cutter in the low 90’s, a slider in the 87-91 MPH range, and a change up in the same range as the slider.
Ian Anderson
When Ian Anderson was on the mound last season he was quite good. He made 24 starts and posted a 3.58 ERA for Atlanta in 2021. He was better against lefties than righties – showing reverse splits, though he was good against both.
2021 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 280 | 58 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 10.7% | 23.6% | .236 | .321 | .374 |
| LHH | 255 | 47 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 9.0% | 22.7% | .205 | .277 | .367 |
Pitch Usage (in 2021)
| 4-Seam | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.6 | 88.1 | 80.7 |
| Usage | 47.4% | 31.4% | 21.1% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:35pm ET
- Where: Truist Park, Atlanta
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 65°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Tommy Pham’s streak
Joel Luckhaupt had a fun note this morning on Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham does not have a hit yet, but has still reached safely in each of his first 3 games as a Red. That's the longest streak for reaching safely without a hit start a Reds career since at least 1901.
— Joel Luckhaupt (@jluckhaupt) April 10, 2022
The Reds aren’t the Pirates, but…..
There’s been tons of discussion, well for a long time but even more so recently with what’s been happening, about just how much money the Cincinnati Reds have or don’t have. Up the river in Pittsburgh the Pittsburgh Gazette wrote about how the Pirates payroll has basically been covered by ticket sales and concession stands revenue for the last decade plus. That’s before they bring in any other revenues, such as those from multimedia partners and revenue sharing which are almost always the biggest chunk of the team revenue.
Around the Beat
Hunter Greene’s debut is years in the making
Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about Hunter Greene a little bit, but much of the focus in the piece was actually about how the Reds have changed how they’ve gone about developing pitching over the last handful of years.
What to expect from Hunter Greene
Jonathan Mayo, one of MLB.com’s prospect writers, looks at what to expect from Hunter Greene as he gets set to make his big league debut.
What is strange is how the Braves have played the same line up in all 4 games except for catcher and order change but Bell can’t, or won’t, do that.
If David Bell had the Braves players he’d probably have the same lineup more often. But he has the Reds roster.
Doug, I implied what you said, however I am not sure Bell would if he could.
Drury won game one. Hasn’t seen the field since. Once again, this team doesn’t know how to use players.
He pinch hit last night and struck out. He ran into one on opening day, but that’s not being in the middle of a hot streak. Plus, they’ve played three games and have a number of new players to evaluate.
The comment about money. Everyone says “they won’t open the books.” Almost everything, revenue, salaries, revenue sharing, expenses for the most part can be found in the public domain. A halfway decent forensic accountant could give us answers. I would love to see someone take up this task. Sell the team Bob, you have lied to us for 16 years.
I’m excited, it’s not every game you get to watch the debut of such a hyped prospect! This happens every few years or so, but we have another just around the corner to. I was at Cueto’s 1st game against the D backs. It was my 1st game in the diamond seats. It was a day game like today, hopefully Greene pitches as well as Cueto did that day!
Imagine being Brandon Drury, big 3 run home run on opening day and not sniffing the lineup the next three days. His defense at 3b has to be better than moose was yesterday.
I was at the debut of Homer Bailey. It was very exciting.
He labored through 5 but battled and left the bases loaded to finish the inning and got a standing O as he walked off the mound.
Go Hunter and Go Reds.
I think I was also there as a kid. Was it against the diamondbacks and Norris Hopper had a game winning hit? I could be way off on this memory but for some reason I think this was his debut.
I looked it up. Beat Indians 4-3. No walk off. Stormy Weathers with the save but gave up 9th inning homer.
Norris Hopper 0-4 but +500 for the Hopper reference.
From my apartment in Sherman Oaks, I only realize about a month ago while talking with neighbors about the Reds…that they had been watching Hunter since he was a teenager…because Notre Dame high school is a block away from here.
I do occasionally get to talk baseball out here that isn’t about the Dodgers, mostly from other transplants, and mostly Cubs fans…but my neighbors knew everything about Hunter.
Much of the HS baseball community out here has been following him, so I have a feeling it will be on Hunter’s mind, too. Stoked!
Doug, I implied what you said, however I am not sure Bell would if he could.
I agree, Bell can’t go with a fixed lineup of his best players, simply because it would reduce his “management opportunities”. I’ve seen a lot of these weak managers in the corporate world who will screw up something that’s working so that they can “add value”. Personally, Bell adds negative value and I would have canned him years ago.
Annie Sabo is GREAT!!! And I don’t usually like female commentators. That is all.
This is going to be one VERY interesting day!
A historic day indeed. Hope to see him do well. Nice to see that they are already making efforts to offset Mooses non-production. Need to find what works quick
India has the hair up today. Changing the mojo.
Anyone else having trouble with Cincinnati Bell’s (non)coverage of the game on their Bally channel?
10 pitch AB ends in a single for India.
Indian and Naquin with both 8 pitch at bats.
Anderson is sitting at pitch #17 with 2 on and no out and Pham pops up on the first pitch.
10 and 6 sorry
Team has no leadership.
says the clubhouse insider
Actually, it was said by a guy who just watched a hitter with a .000 average swinging at the first pitch against a pitcher who doesn’t have very good control. And a guy who’s watched Reds players doing stuff like that for years.
Because “leadership” and outcomes are always very conveniently correlated. If Pham ran into that one, someone would probably talk about what a great thing his veteran “presence” is. Maybe, just maybe, Pham tried to make something happen. I could say he’s “pressing to get going” but that’s as about as much a guess as the quality of leadership that at-bat represents.
Well said Matt.
Armchair GM’s 4 days into the season. Sheesh.
You guys seem to think I equate outcomes with leadership, and you also seem to think my opinion of leadership on this team is based on that one at-bat. You clearly don’t know anything about me at all. But by all means, keep insulting a guy you don’t know anything about because he’s annoyed by an organization, and a manager, he knows a LOT about. That’s smart.
J: I think that the point is that we aren’t in a position to assess the leadership on the Reds, only outcomes. I don’t know why Pham swung at the first pitch, but possibly it looked hittable to him (first pitches often are) and he wanted to make something happen. That’s not necessarily a bad decision, just a bad outcome. It’s worth noting that, for hitters, most outcomes are bad.
Great first 2 AB’s, then weak pop-ups. Let’s see if TySteve can mash one.
At least they pushed Anderson’s pitch count up a bit.
Anderson can’t find the plate with his fastball with a search warrant. I’m amazed that the dugout doesn’t recognize this and move the batters up in the box to hit the offspeed strikes. 2 straight popups.
+100
HERE WE GO!!!
Kinda disappointed Ian Anderson isn’t playing his flute.
Not with that locomotive breath
LOL The Atlanta organist played Aqualung for Aquino last night. It all comes full circle.
Wow. We’ll take that. 🙂
That’ll do, young Master Greene … that’ll do.
Filthy and dominating… Looks great so far
That bender back over the plate to start Riley looked sweet
Wow Hunter Greene looks like playing toss.
Did allow a grounder all the way to the second baseman, but I can live with it.
That was unfair to Austin Riley.
Little bit …
I’d label HG’s 1st inning as a success!
Yeah he is fun to watch!
Moran’s batting glove adjustment after every pitch is a little annoying. But he did draw a walk.
which i think was one of the reasons he was doing it
Reds definitely missed some scoring opportunities but they have worked Anderson and 44 pitches after 2 innings good sign. Pitch count seems to be around 75 for most SP this first weekend so keep up the patient at bats and work the count.
Anyone else having problems with ESPN+? Had an experiencing technical difficulties message last 10 minutes.
I’m on the MLB.tv feed, sorry
I’ve been watching on the Ballys app, didn’t know it was on ESPN
Good talking … no crashes this season, boys!!
Anyone know what song the organist played for Jake Fraley? It’s the only one I can’t figure out so far.
I wasn’t listening to that one, but the organist has made me chuckle a few times.
He played Happy Days for Colin Moran and I didn’t quite get that one.
Some of them have been awesome!
Just played Pinball Wizard for Tommy Pham
Old Man River for Votto (and now I have that in my head)
Just a guess: Erin Moran (may she rest in peace) was the actress who played Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days. Organist is stretching things a bit, I think… Considering that Erin had a very difficult life as an adult and died of cancer in 2017 at age 56, it could also be argued that it’s in poor taste…
Yes.. organist is most impressive and funny. Well down down there.
Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham)–for Colin Moran
That’s it – Erin Moran. A bit of a stretch.
So, I love Puns and these are all like musical puns.
That’s two pretty good innings from where I’m sitting. Now it’s time to support him.
I voted to hold Greene back in AAA for 7-8 starts to let him get more polished.
I was wrong. Reds made the right decision. Love watching Greene pitch to Stephenson with Senzel making plays in CF and India being India.
I did the same, it was/is the practical way to bring up a talented player. I liked his ability challenge hitters in the zone. That slider was a very nice offering.
Pham has to start making hard contact asap.
Mighty Quinn for Naquin
Mighty indeed.
Dream on for Steven Tyler.. I mean Tyler Stephenson
Greene has his slider working. So far, so good. I’m sure we’ll see some ups and downs with him, but looking like he belongs.
My wife says Anderson is bowling today instead of pitching … at least RoY recognized it (again)
Thank you JR House! Nice placement by Naquin.
There we go Naquin
Nice RBI double Naquin
I like that idea … even if it didn’t quite work
OK, Joey. Time to bring Naquin in. Nice job by Pham of moving him over.
DIfference between Pham and Moose. Pham is at least productive in his outs. Not digging him in the three spot though. Not saying he needs to be out of the lineup yet…. but 3 hole… not feeling it
I would put Votto 3 and Stephenson 4.
+250 all the way around. He attempted the bunt and ultimately did move Naquin over. Much better eye for the zone from what I’m seeing.
I don’t usually care for off subject banter in the booth during an inning, but the Braves front office presenting rings to their broadcast team was pretty cool.
Class A move
It would really be nice for Senzel to strike a big blow here.
This may be Anderson’s last inning. He’s “nibbling” and not getting it down. Let’s see if Lil’ Nicky has been paying attention.
What will the replay show?
It looked VERY close … not enough to over turn it
Think Senzel beat it…..too close to change IMO
Sadak had a good explanation. Saying “stands” means not enough to overturn as opposed to “conclusive evidence” one way or the other. If that’s an accurate take, it certainly makes sense to me.
Ok, I know it is new this year, but for right now… I perfer NFL referees explinations and statements vs. MLB umpires….
I prefer this new version of mlb….quicker than last year for sure.
Senzel made up a ton the last 10 feet
Hustle and speed.
Reds are grinding.
More speed and better defense in the outfield this year and Reds are better on the basepaths. Not to mention better at bats. Last year they were swinging early and often.
See what some hustle does for ya!
Moran now more productive them Moose. Atlanta starter bounced….
Moran just became the starter for the rest of the year….lol
They did a great job of running up Anderson’s pitch count. Atlanta bullpen is great, but you always want to knock the starter out early when you can.
At least Moran hit the ball hard, which is a lot better than Moose in the first 3 games.
Wow some production from 3rd base
Farmer…..4 extra runs because Senzel beat that throw….huge!
Kyle Farmer is going to have a really good year! He has turned into a really good player guys!
It’s criminal what LA did to Farmer, converting him to a catcher. The dude is a SS.
Yes, I’m a new Farmer Fan. It’s really impressive what he’s done.
Going back to last year, Farmer batted .291 in September, hit .306 in the Spring, and is carrying it over into the season. His hits always seem timely. He passes the eye test
Nice 5 spot for the Reds.
Farmer Reaping what he sows…. looking around for the FBI number again… reds starting to look like they might be on a crime scene
Love seeing the small ball runs. Lots of good at bats that inning. Really encouraging from Senzel so far as well. If he can start to make good on his potential, it would go a long way to replace the lost production from Winker.
A lot of little plays in this game.
India working the count in 2 tough at bats.
Naquin 2 quality at bats
Pham moving the runner up with a good at bat
Senzel hustling out a fielders choice
First pitch wild pitch to advance 2 runners and then Moran with a quality hit.
Hunter gets a 5-0 lead and hopefully can just settle in and pitch now.
+500
Dansby’s knees gonna buckle in his sleep for several nights
+100
Loving Greene’s slider.
Man….I know there will be ups and downs with Hunter, but he is looking real good so far! Now he has a nice little cushion to work with
Just flat-out froze him with that pitch. NASTY!!
Doesn’t seem to have the jitters at all.
Its a crime scene on both sides of the ball, warrants issued for the Reds batters and Hunter Greene for killing these batters with his pitching.
I’m thinking 1-2 of these betting apps will have Hunter Greene Cy Young odds after this one))
at least a jump on his ROY odds
I took him with the final pick in my fantasy draft.
I think we’re getting better in a really weird way!
+250
Newcomb is NOT Anderson. Glad we scored what we did when we did.
Pham got under that just a wee bit too much. Beats the K’s though.
A bit too early to tell, but is this what we could have had with Chapman if 1) we hadn’t fallen in love with the “closer stuff” mantra and 2) he wasn’t such a headcase?
It took the Cubs 2 games and an inning for their Japanese AS to hit a HR. Ours went Ofer-seasons
But….hes not ours anymore.
True. I really don’t even blame the Reds for taking a shot. Just unfortunate I guess
Thigh-high, inner half … that’s going to happen. And then THAT happens on the next pitch.
Senzel gets some of the fault for a little mis-judgement off the bat.
well hit ball…agree …Senzel should of had it
Stay calm kid, this is a good lineup. Just keep it at 2 or less
Interested to see how Greene responds. Seems like the big inning was a problem for him in the minors
We are about to see just that.
Talking about JR Richard. For my money, he may have been the best pitcher ever had he not gotten taken down by that stroke. And he was playing on some terrible Astros teams. If Greene is anything close, we’ve got a winner on our hands.
Nolan Ryan was the only pitcher I’ve ever watched where he was capable of throwing a no hitter every game. He was must see TV. He would pack a stadium where people went because they might see history that day. Tom Seaver was number two for me.
For that to happen, Greene will have to have another pitch develop to be as good as his fastball. And a third pitch that can be an out pitch. Great reasons for optimism, though!
Calm him down … let’s get him through this inning. He can face down Duvall and win the battle.
I’m ok with that walk to Albies, he was just able to spoil all of Green’s pitches. Lock in now
Ozzie is that kind of hitter. Plus he’s seeing it from the left side, so he has more time to react.
Ok, one out away from passing a nice little test here!
Wow
Way to be there Joey!
Good start to your MLB career, Hunter.
Way for him to regroup with a little help from one of his friends. 🙂
Joey Bangs, and has leather!
Give the kid one more inning and let him slip away with a chance at a “W”
Gutierrez yells over to Moose and says,” Did you see that play by Votto. ? Only if I got that from you.”
I hope they let Greene go back out and get 5 innings. That last inning was taxing so no guarantees.
Now i wish Bell wasn’t listening to my hopes. It would have been better for Greene to take the mental win than expose him to this dangerous lineup for another inning.
Nicely done. Got that run back in a hurry.
There’s your 3 hole hitter! Hopefully it will change soon.
You talk about momentum change…the Braves bottom of 4th and Stephenson HR in the top of 5th….thats some competitive grinding baseball by the Redlegs to stave off a Braves potential charge.
Reds need 2-2.
There you go Ty Steve
I got +230 for Stephenson to get 1+ rbi the other night. Thats pretty crazy for a #5 hitter
Waiting on that fastball now. Get them off balance now with that slider and change.
101 on the black. Filthy
I think this is Greene’s last inning. Maybe next batter who reaches will be his last. Pitch count over 80. But, wow, great reasons for optimism.
Probably his last batter. Let’s send him back to the dugout.
NUTS!!
He gets to face Riley again?
Reds killer Freeman is gone….Olson stepped right into his shoes.
He’s a younger, slightly better fielding version of the same.
And Freddie in Dodger Blue makes me want to barf.
Damage contained. Now let’s secure that W for Greene.
Alright, that is probably it for him. COnsidering his MLB first start and appearance took place against last year’s WS champions, I will take that. Certainly not the one I would send down when Castillo returns
Green needs to get his fastball out of the hitting zone, higher or lower. I wish he could throw his fastball where Mahle does, hitters would never catch up to it.
Wow Greene was impressive.
That’s a tough lineup that our young pitchers faced. Green did very well, Gutierrez also very solid, Sanmartin pitched afraid. I’d say overall our starters including Mahle gave our team a shot in each of these games.
Yes..lets see what Lodolo brings.
Dawns on me that if we hold this lead, we probably won’t see Jansen
Nice swipe of 2nd!
Day got the plumb assignment of the day with that interview.
Yeah, no kidding! How about those amazing parents?
Solid start from Greene. Showed the promise, but also some of the things he needs to work on. The fastball to Olson needed to be up in the zone more. Needs to continue to work on the change as well. Braves definitely got more comfortable after seeing the fastball a few times.
Did they just say the bases are bigger?
Sorry only 2nd season watching baseball.
I believe they are a little bit bigger, yes
I believe they are trying it out in the minors
I was wrong . They did agree on that before the season. They are 3 inches bigger.
How can Bell not challenge that? Fraley had his foot on the base before Newcombe.
Anyone want to explain why Bell isn’t challenging that call? Was Fraley over the baseline and interfered in some way?
Pitcher tagged Fraley before they got to the base.
Wow great play by Newcombe
OK, tagged him. Makes sense.
Braves pitcher from Berry College … my daughter works for another university in that same town. I didn’t rewind to see if Sadak got the direction correct. Rome is NW of Atlanta.
I like that they are letting Cessa try to go more than 1 inning
Agreed. But the relatively quick hook after the Swanson flair hit was a good move as well. Now we should see Tony S. back out in the 8th as well.
Nice outing by Greene, hope the Reds can get him a victory.
Looks like Tommy Pham is getting off to an Ascrubal Cabrera type of start for his Red’s career.
He’s at least walked, had a productive out today, and is a whole lot more flexible than Asdrubal Cabrera. But I get what you are saying.
Yeah I know, hopefully he will get going with the bat when the team is back home.
Hopefully Tommy will get his first Ted’s knock this inning!
*Asdrubal Cabrera
He of the Dad Bod Squad 🙂
Need just 6 more outs. Hoping we get to see Tony for the 8th to hold the line.
Got to quit offering up that thigh-high crap to Olson.
That’ll do, boys
Tony S, …great work today.
Terrible called third strike on India. Ball was low.
Is David Bell still the manager of this team? I just saw two guys work more than one inning apiece, he used Thursday’s closer in the 7th and 8th inning because it made sense to use him there, and he didn’t seem to care what hand his pitcher was throwing with. That’s multiple good decisions within a single game. I’m pleasantly confused.
We can only hope
Bell has been a proponent of using the so called closer in the 8th inning if the opponents meat of the order was due up. It was a big issue with Iglesias which I believe led to him being moved. He only wanted to work the 9th.
But that was the SEVENTH inning, and then he let someone ELSE finish the game and earn the save. This is uncharted territory.
It has been his philosophy all along. Unfortunately he was not given the arms last year. If he had we would have made the playoffs.?
Keep putting the bat on the ball, Tommy. It will happen.
I’m also pulling for Tommy Pham.
3 quick outs and a good trip home to GABP with a split at the WS champions’ home stadium. I’d take that.
And win #1 for Hunter Greene!
Art Warren’s job to close it today.
And that makes it 0–13 to start the season…
I still have him on a longer leash than Moose. And at least he’s in shape.
and that part about being a late signee… he did not have a full…truncated spring training… he has also gone from strike outs to pop outs quickly. I feel it is comming soon. Hunter Greene gets the win
If we pull this off, I’m having T-bone steak tonight.
OK, I was having that anyway. But I’ll say the celebration is for Greene’s first win.
Home to GABP! See y’all on Tuesday.
Farmer Drury and India can pick it.
Solid series
Seamless turn by Drury out of the shift.
I’ll take 2-2 against defending Champions in their house to start the year. Team battled every game. Love the pen so far. Let’s get home and sweep Cleveland.
Two losses by a total of 2 runs … add the split and call it a good series.
If they had this pen last year…wow.
Sims coming in next week. Hope he is up to the task.
ATOBTTR
Great interview by Day with Hunter Greene after game. Reds fans we have a first class young man to cheer for.
I’ve been a Reds fan forever and I’ve never seen Red’s management put such emphasis on the development of pitching.
Will be delighted if Bell’s use of the bullpen today reflects a new philosophy rather than a one-day fluke.
It helps when management gives you some arms to work with.
True, but he has a long history of not utilizing the arms he DOES have in ways that maximize their usefulness. I’ve lost track of how many times he’s removed a guy who’s been sailing along, thrown maybe 13 pitches, and replaced him with a guy whose ERA is 6.4 for no apparent reason other than some weird belief that most relievers shouldn’t pitch in more than one inning. This is a better bullpen, for sure, but he still needs to use them effectively, and today he DID.
I think Bell is listening more to Johnson on the use of the bullpen.
Game recap now posted: https://www.redlegnation.com/2022/04/10/greene-day-for-reds-their-fans-cincinnati-reds-6-atlanta-braves-3/