Riley Greene

Position: OF
Level: SS A
Affiliate: Connecticut Tigers
League: NY-Penn League
Born: 09/28/2000 (Age: 23)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200
B/T: Left / Left
Acquired: 1st Rd. (#5 Overall), 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft (DET)

Prospect Spotlight

Greene was selected by the Tigers fifth overall in this year’s draft and signed for full slot of $6.18M.  While it is rare for a player drafted out of high school to advance beyond the complex level in their pro debut, Greene was promoted to Short-Season Connecticut after only nine games in the GCL.  Then, after 24 impressive games, the Tigers did the virtually unheard of: promoting the 18-year-old outfielder to Class-A West Michigan and pushing him to full-season ball very early.  Overall, Greene’s career is off to an excellent start, slashing .289/.361/.422 with a K:BB ratio of 49:17 across 44 games.  I saw Greene play multiple times this summer during his time in the NY-Penn League.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Greene is wiry strong with some room to fill out, especially in the upper body.  The young outfielder’s hit tool is his carrying trait.  To just hold his own in Rookie-ball and Short Season would have been impressive, but to excel was special.  He never looked overmatched thanks to a balanced approach and ability to hit to all fields.  He is a pure-hitter who should develop above-average pop as his body matures and he refines his approach and bat path.  Greene struggled with spin from lefties, which is not uncommon for young hitters, but something to monitor nonetheless.  While not speedy, he is a good athlete with fluid actions both on the bases and in the outfield.  Greene may grow out of centerfield, so unless he can improve his slightly below-average arm, he likely projects as a left-fielder.

After watching Greene this summer, the Tigers have themselves a keeper.  He checked all the boxes, combining a grinder’s mentality with hustle and unique talent.  Greene’s special hit tool, coupled with his power potential and hard-nosed style, gives him the upside of a perennial All-Star, FV 60.