CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Andrew Abbott said without hesitation, like it was a passing comment where he acknowledged the most obvious thing in the world.
“Hunter is our No. 1,” Abbott said. “He’s our one for a reason.”
Abbott went on to rave about all of the qualities that he admires in Greene.
The natural follow-up question to Abbott was reminding him that he’s an All-Star and could be viewed as the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 1 starter.
“Ehhhhhh, no,” Abbott said.
“(Greene) is a big phenomenon in the city,” Abbott continued. “He’s something you’d go to see. If I was a fan in Cincinnati, I would come to watch Hunter throw. He’s young. He has a hugely bright future in front of him. He’s a great kid. He does a lot for the city on and off the field. That plus how he performs when he’s pitching makes him our ace. Everybody will tell you the same thing in our rotation. He’s the guy that we want Game 1 taking the ball against their best. Lights, camera, action, here we go.”
Here we go.
Game 1 of the playoffs could be coming up next week for Greene, who’s lined up to open the Wild Card round against the Dodgers. But the Reds need to get their first. Following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Pirates, the Reds fell one game back of the New York Mets in the playoff race.
Up next for Greene is a head-to-head matchup against Paul Skenes in a pivotal game for the Reds. Cincinnati’s offense hasn’t been consistent enough, and Wednesday is going to be a pitcher’s duel. Greene vs. Skenes. Ace against ace. Greene is coming off of a complete game shutout and is carrying a 2.74 ERA, and Skenes is the best pitcher in baseball.
It’s not quite Game 1 of the playoffs, but it’s pretty close.
“(Greene) has always had the stuff,” Abbott said. “Just from my two-and-a-half years of being up here with him, it’s great to see the little stuff and seeing him implement changes he has been doing. Whether it’s the weight room, mechanical stuff, pitch design. It’s fun to see that stuff in fruition active in the game. He has always had the character. He has always had the outlook of an ace. When he took the ball vs. the Cubs, it was a perfect blend. He was dialed in, having fun, smiling and being laser focused knowing exactly what he had to do.”
Wednesday’s start against Greene is why the Reds drafted him and why they extended him. Aside from Skenes, Greene’s upside on any given night is as appealing as any pitcher in all of baseball’s. Greene, 26 years old, is still learning and developing as a pitcher. But if he’s on, he can lead to the Reds to a win in any game. He has the ability to go toe-for-toe with Skenes, and he has the ability to stare down a lineup like the Dodgers if the Reds make it to LA next week.
“We want to be in these positions,” Greene said.
Greene entered the season with Cy Young potential, but he hasn’t reached his true ceiling yet. The story of his season is still the time that Greene missed with a groin strain. Greene has started to rewrite that story with stellar September performances against the Mets, Blue Jays and Cubs. Big games on Wednesday and in the playoffs would put all of the focus back on what Greene is capable of on the mound.
He has been looking forward to starts like these since the Reds drafted him. The team is in must-win mode, it’s facing a tough challenge and Greene is getting the ball.
“It’s about being present in the moment,” Greene said. “Nothing is easy, but we have a pretty good sense of ourselves and what we need to do individually to be the best versions of ourselves. It’s about staying true to that process and take one day at a time. I just want to do well.”
The Reds’ best path toward success next week and next week (if they get there) is pitching. The lineup has had its moments in September and it has some strengths, but Tuesday’s loss was a reminder of the limitations of the Reds’ offense in 2025. The lack of power, consistency and upside in the lineup is a flaw of the team (one bright spot is Elly De La Cruz turning the corner). Over the last 12 days, poor hitting has been the defining reason for a Reds loss in three different games.
But last weekend against the Cubs, the Reds also won two 1-0 games. The Reds have one of the best rotations in baseball, and that’s a powerful tool.
“We have depth and guys that really know how to pitch,” Greene said. “We’ve all got to fire on all cylinders. It’s all hands on deck.”
Wednesday will be Greene’s day. Games like this matchup versus Skenes are what separates frontline starters from aces.
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