Greene continues push to make Reds' staff

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Reds' No. 1 prospect is making a good case to be in the Major Leagues for Opening Day. In his second outing of the spring -- and his first start -- right-hander Hunter Greene threw two scoreless innings in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.

Greene, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati's top prospect and the No. 22 overall prospect in baseball, gave up four hits with no walks and one strikeout.

“I felt good. I felt like my pitches were coming out nice,” Greene said. “It’s still spring, so I am working on pitches here and there. I felt great about my changeup. I feel like guys were a little bit off-balance, and I kept them honest as well today.”

Here is a breakdown of Greene’s start:

• Greene threw 33 pitches, including 26 strikes.

• There were 18 pitches of at least 100 mph, according to the ballpark radar gun.

• There were four pitches that reached 102 mph.

• Greene reached a two-ball count against only one batter: David Villar in the second inning.

• All four Giants hits against Greene were singles.

“Allowed a couple hits with two strikes, but was good getting out of it,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Another good step. He’s right on track. We’re really happy. I don’t think he’s satisfied by any means, but we’re happy with the progression.”

As for his changeup, Greene used it to start a sequence against two hitters, something he did not do at all last season in the Minors.

“I’ve been working on that a lot in the offseason,” Greene said. “I take a lot of pride in my changeup now, really more than any other pitch. The fastball is great, the slider is cool, but the changeup is where my mind is at, and I’m really happy with that.”

Although he worked ahead and changed speeds, the 22-year-old Greene did not have easy work with San Francisco. His second batter, Austin Slater, reached on a one-out infield single behind third base. Greene then struck out Steven Duggar swinging at a 101 mph fastball, before Thairo Estrada lined a single into center field. Curt Casali grounded out to second base on a 101 mph fastball to end the inning.

Former Reds infielder Alex Blandino led off the second with a single into left field. Patrick Bailey later rolled a one-out single through the middle. But Greene escaped with a broken-bat popup to shortstop on a 101 mph pitch to Villar and a flyout to left by LaMonte Wade Jr., also coming on a 101 mph heater.

Greene was glad he got to work from the stretch during the game with runners on base.

“[Pitching coach Derek Johnson] says all the time I’m going to be out of the stretch more than the windup. Getting comfortable with that,” Greene said. “Spring Training is all about being comfortable and working on all of your stuff when it doesn’t really matter. I’m sure these guys want to see me working out of the stretch, too, and that I’m the same guy I am when out of the windup.”

Through two spring games, Greene has pitched three scoreless innings with five hits allowed, no walks and three strikeouts. He is competing to earn one of the vacant spots in the Reds' rotation.

“There are still things I am working on, and I’m talking to D.J. all the time. He’s in my ear, I’m in his ear. Not getting too hyped up, I’d like to think I stay right in the middle,” Greene said. “That’s what makes the best players, guys that stay on that middle line. I think I’m doing well. I have a lot of confidence in myself. We still have a few more games to go.”