Hunter Greene Seemingly Hits 105 MPH in Opening Day Start

BY ALLISON BABKA

Opening day for the Cincinnati Reds typically is magical for fans and players alike. But the kickoff to the 2023 season brought new aspects to the game that will be scrutinized through October.

The Pittsburgh Pirates eked out a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds during the March 30 season opener at Great American Ball Park. Both teams dealt with violating pitch clock regulations – something that had been implemented in the minor leagues and brought to the majors this year to speed up the game (pitchers have 15 seconds with nobody on and 20 seconds if there is a baserunner to start their delivery).

Reds starter Hunter Greene notched his violation in the third inning, while Pirates starter Mitch Keller had his in the fourth.

Greene had eight strikeouts over 83 pitches but landed in trouble and came out after three and a third innings. But the 2022 rookie phenom known for his fastball broke 100 MPH on several pitches and even fired off a 105.2 MPH heater. Or did he?

"Was that number right? Did that number say 105 [MPH]? Is that right?" Reds broadcaster John Sadak exclaimed on air.

Statcast validated the speedball (which was called for a ball) at first but then later removed it from the record, as noted on Twitter by statistician Joel Lackhaupt.

"Statcast has scrubbed 105.2 from the record," Lackhaupt said.

The opening day excitement over 105.2 MPH was just an error, Statcast ultimately ruled.

But how would that velocity have compared to other validated heaters? Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw 105.8 MPH in 2010, the fastest pitch on record. Elsewhere on 2023's opening day – which saw all 30 franchises competing simultaneously for the first time since 1968 – St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks threw 103.8 MPH, good for the day's high mark.

With more playing time, Greene could come close. During the April 16 game last year alone, the rookie Greene threw 39 pitches that reached 100 MPH or higher — including several at 101 and 102 — setting a record for the most triple-digit heat in a single game since pitch tracking began in 2008.