Shane Greene: The Grass Is Greener
By Brad Kelly
Apr 14, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Shane Greene (61) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Hopefully by now, you have noticed in the box scores the two outstanding starts that Shane Greene has posted. He blanked both the Twins and Pirates over 8 innings and has yet to give up a run on the season. As of right now his stat line reads, 16 IP’s, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 K,. and 1 BB.
Greene was a late bloomer, essentially being a career minor leaguer up until his call up last season for the Yankees at 26 years old. Ultimately, he turned out to be a nice surprise and really gave the Yanks some much needed innings in 2014.
During the off season he was a part of the Didi Gregorius trade, and he found himself on the potent Tigers club. I thought he overachieved last year as his K numbers show. He is not over powering and tends to pitch to contact using a fastball/slider mix. But does that really matter as long as he gets outs?
Greene’s value is as high as it could be this early in the season, yet he still finds himself on the waiver wire in a majority leagues. I downplayed his first start as I deemed that he only faced the Twins after all. But, after tonight, and shutting down a potent Pirates lineup, I am a believer that he may turn in a quality season. With early SP injuries and general ineffectiveness, Shane Greene is a perfect addition to your club.
If you read any of my tier previews before the season, I am a big believer in guys that I deem as “stabilizers.” Shane Greene does not wow in the K department, but there has to be something said for a guy that has thrown 16 shutout innings to start the season.
It even gets better. As the schedule sits right now, Greene will face the sputtering Yankees and Indians clubs over his next two starts. Now I concede that he will not continue his perfect streak of no runs allowed over these next starts, but with the Tigers being hot and facing some struggling teams in the near future, now is the time to pounce on Shane Greene and confidentially insert him into your lineup.