“Sports Illustrated” called California high schooler Hunter Greene “the star baseball needs” on its cover two months ago. The Reds are hoping he’s the star the magazine predicted.
With the second overall pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, the Reds selected the ballyhooed prep right-hander and shortstop with the second overall pick.
The Reds had targeted Greene throughout the draft process, waiting only to see if the Minnesota Twins would pass on him. No high school right-handed pitcher has ever been selected with the first overall pick in the MLB draft.
The Twins selected fellow Southern California high school shortstop Royce Lewis with the top pick.