4. Riley Greene
Minors (RK, A-, A): 251 plate appearances, .271/.347/.403, eight doubles, five homers, five steals, 22 walks, 63 strikeouts
The fifth overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, Riley Greene could be the middle of the order bat that the Detroit Tigers need.
Considered the best pure hitter in the high school ranks last year, Greene had an impressive resume by the time he was drafted. He was the top run producer on Team USA’s National 18U team, helping lead them to a gold medal in the Pan-American Championships. Greene won the Gatorade Player of the Year award in Florida, as he was a force as a high school senior.
Although it is early in his professional career, it is apparent that Greene can flat out hit. While it is not likely that he challenges for a home run crown at any time in his career, he has a fluid swing from the left side with a great deal of explosiveness. Greene also improved his athleticism, and while he is not likely to stick in center, he did improve his speed and range in the field.
That hit tool will carry Greene through the Tigers system, and potentially, at a very rapid pace. He had already progressed through three levels of the Tigers system, spending just nine games in rookie ball before being promoted. With his ability to hit, it is possible that Detroit will be aggressive in challenging Greene, with his major league debut coming sooner than one may expect.
At just 19 years old, Riley Greene is already the best hitter in the Detroit Tigers system. He may not stay there long, as a debut at the end of 2021 may not be out of the question if he continues to hit.