Heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers rookie OF Riley Greene was having a very rough month of August as he was batting just .198 while striking out 30 times and walking just twice in 85 at-bats. During that time, his on-base percentage was just .224, which was one of the worst in all of Major League Baseball over that time period.
But on Sunday, against Shohei Ohtani, who is one of the best pitchers in baseball, Greene stepped up immediately. In fact, Greene launched the first pitch Ohtani threw in the game 448 feet into the right-center field stands.
In the game, Greene was not only 2-for-2 with a home run and a double but he also walked twice and made another Superman-like catch in center field.
Riley Greene comments on his struggles: ‘My swings are phenomenal’
Following the game, Riley Greene spoke to reporters about his recent struggles, noting that his swing has not been the problem.
“My swings are phenomenal,” he said.
“I’m seeing the ball good and I’m starting to swing at better pitches,” he said. “The past couple of weeks were bad. I was swinging at everything, just trying to make something happen. That’s not what you’re supposed to do.”
“They were throwing sinkers down and in,” he said. “The balls I swung at I had really good swings and I’m right on it. Just at the last second it just sinks and I’m just missing the barrel. That’s the frustrating part for me.
“But I’m putting good swings on balls and either hitting them straight into the ground or hitting it hard right at someone. But I feel really good up there right now.”
In all during his rookie season, Riley Greene is now slashing .234/.296/.349 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 57 games with the Detroit Tigers.
