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Cincinnati pitcher Hunter Greene is going viral for his performance on Opening Day. The Reds ace threw a 105 MPH fastball in the team’s season debut against the division rival Pirates.
It was reportedly the fastest pitch thrown in MLB play in seven years. Fans have been quick to comment on the ridiculous pitch online.
Greene burst onto the scene last season, getting called up to the bigs for his rookie campaign. Things didn’t necessarily go as planned as he finished just 5-13 on the year, but his potential as a starter was evident.
The righty is one of baseball’s hardest throwers, posting the 11th-fastest fastball average in 2022 according to YardBarker.
On Thursday, he showed fans his flamethrowing ability, launching a 105 MPH pitch from the mound.
105 mph?!?!?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/XspOvpOeYY
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 30, 2023
It’s nothing new to Greene, who posted 20 pitches at 100 MPH or more over his first two big league starts. He also hit 104 MPH in a minor league start.
But 105 MPH might be a new career high.
According to Jomboy Media, it’s the fastest pitch in Major League Baseball since Aroldis Chapman hit 105 MPH in 2016. Ironically enough, Andrew McCutcheon was the hitter at the plate for both pitches.
Shoutout to Andrew McCutchen, who has now seen a:
– 105.8 MPH fastball from Aroldis Chapman in 2010
– 105.2 MPH fastball from Hunter Greene in 2022Both against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park pic.twitter.com/VGP6teK4DY
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) March 30, 2023
Fans were quick to react to the incredible throw on social media.
One person wrote, “He makes it look so effortless.” Another follower asked, “What are they feeding them over there in Cincy?”
Unfortunately for Greene, the fastball missed the zone. That was a theme in his season debut against Pittsburgh as he walked three batters and threw 83 pitches over just 3.1 innings of work.
While Hunter Greene landed a no-decision, the Reds fell on Opening Day by a score of 5-4.