Hunter Greene DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the San Francisco Giants, as expected. It comes as no surprise after Greene made his first All-Star team last year in his third year in the league by going 9-5 with a career-best 2.75 ERA (3.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, a career-high 169 strikeouts and 57 walks in 150 1/3 innings over 26 starts for the Reds. The 25-year-old hasn't looked great in spring training, as he's allowed seven earned runs in three starts, but he's also struck out 11 and walked four in eight innings of work. Fantasy managers shouldn't let those spring results dissuade them from taking Greene as a solid No. 3 starter in upcoming drafts. Even though Greene's strikeout rate dropped to 27.7% in 2024, it was still above-average. The next step for him is reaching the 30-start mark and topping 200 K's.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will come off the 15-day injured list on Sunday on a controlled workload to face the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. Greene is recovering from right-elbow soreness and threw 52 games in a simulated game on Tuesday. Still, the 25-year-old hasn't been fully stretched out, so despite the plus matchup against Pittsburgh this weekend, he won't be a recommended fantasy start for those still playing for a championship late in the year. If Greene doesn't suffer a setback on Sunday, he'll be more appealing in fantasy lineups for his final start of the year next week, which is lined up against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. Before his elbow injury, Greene took a step forward in 2024 as a first-time All-Star with a 9-4 record, career-best 2.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 162:53 K:BB in 143 1/3 innings over his 24 starts.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday in Cincinnati, according to manager David Bell. It's possible Greene could return to the starting rotation and make two starts before the end of the 2024 season. Greene is working his way back from right-elbow soreness, and this will be his second live batting practice session. For fantasy managers still playing for a championship this year, the 25-year-old Greene could still be an asset down the stretch after going 9-4 with a career-best 2.83 ERA (3.42 FIP), a 1.02 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings pitched over his 24 starts for the Reds this year. The former second overall pick in 2017 hasn't pitched in a big-league game since Aug. 13, though, so he could be on an innings limit when he returns from the injured list.UPDATE: Green threw three simulated "innings" of 20, 20 and 10 pitches and said he felt great. His next outing could be in the big leagues this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.