44,063 Cincinnati Reds fans packed Great American Ballpark Thursday afternoon. A new stadium record, that unfortunately resulted in a 5-4 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Even in the loss, there were signs of positivity in the team. Reds fans shouldn’t have to worry about another 3-22 start to the season…for now at least.
As in virtually every game, there were turning points in the Reds season opener. If you take away a few moments in the game, the outcome could have easily gone the other way. But you can’t take away a few moments. What happened in the game happened, and now the Reds move on from here. So what positivity can be taken away from a home loss on Opening Day? Let’s take a look at a few.
What Reds fans should be excited about
Spencer Steer:
Spencer Steer came into the season as the Reds starting third-baseman. Steer came into the big leagues during last season’s September call-ups. During his month of play, his numbers weren’t eye-popping, however, Reds fans saw his potential be flashed. Slashing .274/.364/.515 with 23 home runs in the minor leagues last year, he showed he can hit well. His numbers in the big leagues didn’t translate in 28 games, but his plate presence showed big league ready.
On Opening Day, Steer went one-for-two with two walks and a home run. According to Baseball Savant in the picture above, Steer kept his good plate vision yesterday by not chasing pitches out of the strike zone. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Steer took a 2-2 count breaking ball in the middle of the zone 435 feet that got the Reds fans on their feet.
435 feet for the first blast of the year
@spenc__er ╳ #RedsOpeningDay pic.twitter.com/g2eRIb7HDq
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 30, 2023
Hunter Greene:
Reds fans might look at Hunter Greene’s stat line on Opening Day and be hesitant. Although it wasn’t the best outing, I agree, it isn’t a start I would look too deep into. This being his first Opening Day start, the nerves had to be elevated a bit for Greene. Even with a not-so-impressive pitching line, it all wasn’t THAT bad for Hunter. The high pitch count absolutely can’t happen, especially with the uncertainty of the bullpen. 19 pitches in both the first and second inning are survivable, adding 32 pitches just in the third inning is where problems really started rolling downhill for Greene.
Even with the high pitch count, scattering three walks and only lasting less than four innings, Greene’s damage wasn’t all on him. After leaving the game with runners on first and third with one out, Fernando Cruz entered the game. It isn’t Greene’s fault Cruz would then walk the next three batters he faced, allowing both of Greene’s responsible runs to score.
Taking a further step in digging into the 23-year-olds start, according to FanGraphs, Greene ranked in the top three for Stuff+, Location+, and Pitching+ for starters on Opening Day. (For more information on those three new statistics on FanGraphs, you can find the description here.) Greene’s start was one he would like to have back, and one reds fans wish was just a bit better. For those thinking, however, that this is what should be expected this year, just take a deep breath. The Reds are far off from another 3-22 start. Although I’m not saying a start like that isn’t possible, the Reds aren’t heading that way just after one game.
Main photo credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA Today Sports
Players Mentioned:
Spencer Steer, Hunter Greene, Fernando Cruz
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