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Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene heating up in Connecticut

By Michael Adzima

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Detroit Tigers first round draft pick Riley Greene smiles after being introduced to the crowd during the third inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 7, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Greene agreed to a contract just two days after being selected No. 5 overall in the Major League Baseball Draft. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Detroit Tigers first round draft pick Riley Greene smiles after being introduced to the crowd during the third inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 7, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Greene agreed to a contract just two days after being selected No. 5 overall in the Major League Baseball Draft. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Tigers are looking to increase the amount of hitting talent in the organization’s farm system, and this year’s first-round draft pick is helping that effort in a big way.

When the Detroit Tigers selected Riley Greene with the fifth overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, most Detroit fans were excited about getting probably the best high school hitting prospect in the entire draft class. In his short time with the Tigers’ minor league system this year, Greene is already living up to his potential as a force to be reckoned with in the batter’s box.

At just 18 years old, the Tigers decided to start out Greene in the Rookie Gulf Coast League where he racked up a BA of .351 and brought in eight RBI in just nine games. After that short time in the GCL, the organization quickly moved Greene up to Short-Season Class-A ball with the Connecticut Tigers of the New York-Penn League.

Since the move to Connecticut, Greene has continued to rake at the plate, hitting .400 with six RBI in seven games so far. In probably his most impressive performance yet, Greene came close to hitting for the cycle on Monday night.

In a 14-10 win for the Connecticut Tigers over the Tri-City ValleyCats, Greene went 3-6 at the plate with a single, double, and a home run. Despite being just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, Greene also brought in four RBI, his most in a single game since his impressive five RBI Gulf Coast League debut back on June 24th.

After an incredible GCL debut last month, Riley Greene has begun to show that he can consistently perform at the plate. In fact, he has recorded at least one hit in each of his seven games with Connecticut so far.

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If Greene keeps things up at this pace, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he finishes out the year one step higher with the West Michigan Whitecaps. He has had a few explosive performances but has also shown signs of improving his consistency, making him look as if he truly could be the everyday hitter of the future that the Detroit Tigers desperately need.

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