When a $53 million arm is pitching like it’s a game of ‘who’s next,’ comparisons to an up-and-coming prodigy are inevitable. After a recent performance that left jaws dropped, a Cincinnati Reds star found himself on the receiving end of a bold evaluation. As Paul Skenes continues to make waves, it seems the race for MLB’s next pitching sensation is already well underway, with an ace throwing a few thunderbolts of his own.
Hunter Greene is absolutely spitting fire right now and there is nobody who can stop him. His arm is throwing heat that even the best batters of the 2 teams have not been able to get their bat on. And after this show, Mr. Greene is getting compared to the one and only, Paul Skenes.
During the MLB Now show, the hosts were talking about how good a pitcher Greene has been and other things. That is when Dan O’Dowd said, “I do think we need to start talking about Hunter [Greene] in the same way we talk about Paul Skenes.”
This was not just random words, but he backed it up with some stats. Since the start of 2024, Hunter Greene has been ranked first on the leaderboard for ERA with an ERA of 2.48. In 2024, Hunter ended the season with an ERA of 2.83 with 169 strikeouts. He has started the 2025 season also in the same way. In 2025, he has an ERA of 0.98 with 31 strikeouts while Skenes has an ERA of 3.44 with 20 strikeouts.
“I do think we need to start talking about Hunter [Greene] in the same way we talk about Paul Skenes.”
– Dan O’Dowd on the @Reds‘ young ace pic.twitter.com/Aic5Qpji34
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) April 14, 2025
In the last two games for the Reds, Hunter has pitched like an absolute monster. In the games against the Giants, Hunter pitched for a total of 8.2 innings, gave away just 4 hits, and walked only 1 batter. He pulled off the same thing against the Pirates, as he ended the game with 7 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts.
When you’re making elite hitters look like they’re swinging blindfolded—twice in a row—it’s no longer a hot streak; it’s a headline. Greene isn’t just chasing greatness; he’s dragging it by the collar and making it watch. If Paul Skenes is the future, Hunter Greene is the flaming fastball in the present. At this rate, comparisons won’t be necessary—Greene will be the standard.
Reds’ manager Terry Francona praises Greene after a dominant performance
Some pitchers throw heat. Others throw history. And then there’s the rare breed that makes even a veteran MLB manager consider breaking tradition for one more out. On a night when dominance met drama, Hunter Greene didn’t just pitch—he delivered a statement. And Cincinnati Reds manager, Terry Francona, not one to sugarcoat sentiment, found himself caught between protocol and pure admiration.
After the series opener against the Giants, Hunter Greene was everywhere. His show in the game where he pitched 8.2 innings with only 4 hits and 7 strikeouts was one of the best performances by a pitcher so far this season. This not only impressed the fans but also impressed manager, Terry Francona.
In a recent interview, Francona said, “You know I didn’t want to come out there (to take you out of the game), That was f—ing awesome. Way to go.” After looking at the way Greene was pitching, we realize that not only Francona but also no other manager would have dared to take him out.
Francona also says that he didn’t want to bring in reliever Tony Santillan and hoped that Hunter Greene could salvage the two outs.
But baseball, as always, has its rules—and hearts don’t always get to overrule arms. Francona made the call, but not without a sigh and a silent salute. In a sport obsessed with pitch counts and analytics, Greene reminded us of the raw, untamed thrill of watching a man on the mound. One more out or not, he didn’t need a complete game to prove he’s the real deal.
The post Reds’ $53M Star Draws Intriguing Parallel to Paul Skenes as Insider Drops Bold Verdict After Historic Pirates Beatdown appeared first on EssentiallySports.
