What glitters is not at all times gold, it is perhaps Greene – April 7, 2025
Hunter Greene (P – CIN) – It is solely three begins, however it definitely appears like Hunter Greene has taken a step ahead this yr. The management seems to be considerably improved, with a zone% up nearly 15% from final season, and there is been a little bit of a velo bump as effectively. Sore, there are a ton of flyballs, but when he’s going to be strolling half as many guys as earlier than, we’re in for a deal with. He could not fairly end off the complete-game shutout on Monday in San Francisco, going 8 2/3 after which permitting a single and a stroll (his solely one of many contest) earlier than yielding to Tony Santillan to get the ultimate out. Don’t fret concerning the “mere” 7 Ok’s, as he did get 19 swinging strikes in 104 pitches whereas lastly choosing up his first win of the yr after three glorious outings. He is been as spectacular as anybody within the early going.
Ben Rice (1B – NYY) – Rice tripled and walked twice on Monday in opposition to Detroit, and he is now hitting 333/471/704 via the primary 9 video games of the yr. Certain, it is a scorching begin, however there are some things right here price taking note of. The primary is the lineup spot: hitting leadoff in opposition to RHP for the Yankees is an enormous enhance to anybody’s worth, and the truth that Rice has already swiped a few baggage ought to illustrate that he has extra velocity than you are anticipating from a former catcher. He might simply lead 1B in SBs this yr. The second factor is the style of his manufacturing. Certain, the 72% laborious hit fee is absurd, however Rice confirmed incredible plate self-discipline, above common contact means, and above common exit velocity each final yr as a rookie and through his minor league tenure. We should not be shocked that that is merely a part of his talent set. He is an impressed selection as a leadoff hitter, and I believe that there is a cheap likelihood that Rice is that rarest of uncommon issues: an underrated Yankee prospect. Sure, he was outdated for the degrees, however in 2023-24 he hit 44 HRs and stole 21 bases in 152 video games within the minors with an OBP round .415. This child can play, and he is undoubtedly price a pickup in all codecs hitting atop a premium lineup.
Mackenzie Gore (P – WAS) – Gore was nice once more on Monday, this time holding the mighty Dodgers to 2 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings, strolling 1 and fanning 7. He generated 15 swinging strikes on 100 pitches, and as that zone% continues to climb, I am pondering that perhaps some precise management enchancment has occurred. If that is the case, it is the most important factor that has been stopping Gore from taking the subsequent step to a constant top-flight SP. Certain, the GB fee remains to be relatively low, however with out the identical quantity of free passes the affect will probably be mitigated. The ceiling right here is superb, as we have seen simply within the first 3 begins of 2025. He will get the Marlins in Miami for the again finish of his 2-start week, so expectations will probably be excessive. Watch out on claims although, as a result of subsequent week’s lone begin is in Colorado, which is not the greatest combine for a flyball pitcher with a few stable breaking pitches.
Matt Wallner (OF – MIN) – I am having fun with this pattern of “non-traditional” leadoff hitters that appears to be gaining some momentum. Wallner is a affected person, energy bat with beneath common velocity that the Twins have been main off in opposition to RHP to this point this yr. He singled, doubled, and walked on Monday to convey his line as much as 303/410/485 via 10 video games, and whereas he’s nonetheless more likely to be platooned in opposition to LHP, there’s sufficient OBP and pop right here to justify a declare in codecs the place you possibly can choose and select when to play him (deep reserves, each day lineups, and so forth.). He is been rather more aggressive this yr to this point, which is in step with the variety of strikes that he is seeing above regular (zone% up 8.7, swing% up 8.5). He’ll swing and miss, however the mixture of the lineup place and energy have me enthusiastic about Wallner in most codecs.
Zac Gallen (P – ARI) – I’ve some gentle concern over Gallen, who now has two stinkers sandwiched round a superb outing in NY final week. Gallen could not get via the fifth on Monday in opposition to Baltimore, permitting 7 hits and 5 runs, strolling 4 and solely fanning 2. His management regressed final season by fairly a bit, and to this point in 2025 it appears like extra of the identical. He can nonetheless miss bats, however the EV allowed is up for a number of years now when hitters do make contact, and the additional runners on from the poorer management are definitely a difficulty. There’s nonetheless loads of stuff right here if he can get the management straightened out, however issues are trending within the improper path over the previous few seasons to make sure. First the standard of contact in ’23, then the management final season, and except for the beginning in NY the place he clearly had the command of the knuckle curve, the identical points have cropped up twice already this yr. I will be watching his begin Sunday carefully.
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