Reds sign Hunter Greene to 6-year, $53M extension

The Cincinnati Reds locked up a big part of their future Tuesday, announcing they've signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a six-year, $53-million contract extension.

The deal begins this season and contains a $21-million club option for 2029 with a $2-million buyout. If the option is exercised, it'll delay Greene's free agency by two seasons.

Greene's contract also contains escalator clauses in both 2028 and the 2029 option that could max out the deal at $96.2 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

All told, the pact is the second-largest signed by a pitcher with less than two years' service time, per Heyman.

"The commitment we made to Hunter reflects his commitment to this organization and to our community," Reds CEO Bob Castellini said. "He is part of the foundation of young players who will continue to help us build a successful major league team."

Cincinnati selected the 23-year-old second overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. Originally picked as a two-way player, Greene only hit in the minors for one season before shifting his focus to the mound. He then rose quickly through the system as a top pitching prospect, and arrived in the majors last season.

Over 28 starts in the big leagues, Greene owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and one shutout while tallying 188 strikeouts for a 11.9 K/9 rate. He throws three pitches, with his primary weapon being a powerful four-seam fastball that's averaging 99.2 mph through four starts in 2023.

Greene was the Reds' Opening Day starter for the first time earlier this year.