Riley Greene Understanding Role As Tigers' Most Dangerous Hitter

Forbes

5 hours ago

Riley Greene is a key member of one of the most dangerous offenses in Major League Baseball.
Despite recent struggles, the Tigers are sixth in baseball in runs scored. Three of their hitters were in the American League's starting lineup for last month's All-Star Game, Greene joined by second baseman Gleyber Torres and infielder/outfielder Javier Baez.
However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledges that Greene can do the most damage. The 24-year-old left fielder is hitting .269/.315/.509 with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs in 110 games for the Tigers, who hold an eight-game lead in the AL Central.
"He is the guy in this lineup that's targeted the most," Hinch said. "He's the most productive, so that comes with a little more importance because the other teams' game-planning sessions are geared as much toward him as any of our players. I'm sure teams spend more time trying to figure out ways to get him out."
Being pitched tougher than most hitters doesn't seem to affect Greene. He is third in the AL in RBIs and fourth in homers.
Greene Pays Father Debt of Gratitude
Of course, it's not hyperbole to say that Greene was born to hit. His father, Alan Greene, is a longtime hitting instructor in the Orlando area and played a pivotal role in his son's development, culminating in his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft following his graduation from Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida.
"I started playing baseball when I was 3 years old," Riley Greene said with a smile. "My dad was crazy about my swing and everything since I can remember. So, yes, he definitely helped me get this far."
Greene showed his appreciation of his father touchingly on June 15 after the Tigers lost to the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 at Comerica Park on Father's Day.
First, Greene presented Alan Greene with a framed No. 31 jersey that he wore in his major-league debut in 2022. The younger Greene then presented his father with keys to a restored 1987 Chevrolet truck, the same model Alan used to drive Riley to Little League games.
"He taught more than just how to hit," Riley Greene said of Alan. "He taught me to stand tall and be a man."
Riley Greene Blossomed in 2024
Riley Greene has stood tall during the last two seasons. Last year, he helped the Tigers make an improbable run to the postseason for the first time since 2014, hitting .262/.348/.479 with 24 homers in 137 games while being selected to the All-Star Game as a reserve.
Greene has been even better this season, as the starting nod in the All-Star Game suggests.
He is a bargain for the Tigers as his salary is just $812,400. Greene figures to get a substantial raise in the offseason when he becomes eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.
However, Greene isn't thinking about his salary at the moment. He is looking to get the Tigers back to the postseason, where they upset the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card round last season before losing to the Cleveland Guardians in a Division Series.
"This season has been a lot of fun," Greene said. "This is a great team, a great clubhouse, a lot of talented players, and a lot of really good people on this team. It's fun to be around these guys and it's fun to compete with these guys, too.
"I went through the last two months of last season with these guys when everyone counted us out, and we ended up making the playoffs. That confidence has carried over, and this has been a special season, but it's not over yet. We still have work to do."
Riley Greene Looking For Improvement
Greene would like to cut down on his strikeouts as he leads MLB with 147 in 428 at-bats.
"I could definitely cut down on my chase a lot," Greene said. "I've been chasing a bunch, and I definitely could walk a little more. I could definitely cut down on my swing. I just need to be sure I'm getting good pitches to hit,"
Hinch, though, can live with the strikeouts if Greene continues to be productive.
"Riley's understanding more and more about how teams are going to approach him and what his responsibility is," Hinch said. "He takes that to heart, and he wants to get better. I remember early in his career when I would be asked about (his lack of) power, and now his power is really showing up, and the questions are shifting to his strikeouts.
"There's a tradeoff in trying to chase one or the other," Hinch continued about Riley Greene. "He's a well-rounded hitter but has his peaks and valleys like most young players. What we're to do is have Riley have longer peaks and shorter valleys."