Reds to develop Hunter Greene as pitcher, let him DH

Before being the most popular name in the 2017 MLB Draft, 17-year-old Hunter Greene turned scouts' heads as a two-way star in high school by pitching and patrolling shortstop at an impressive level.

However, now that the Cincinnati Reds have come to terms with the second overall pick, president of baseball operations Dick Williams told FOX Sports Ohio that the club intends to primarily develop Greene as a pitcher while giving him regular at-bats as a designated hitter.

"We see him as a pitcher," Williams said. "We see him building that arm strength this year and coming out next year and carrying a full workload."

Greene's agreement with the Reds came down to the wire of Friday's deadline, with the young phenom agreeing to a record $7.23-million signing bonus.

While he was first introduced to Reds fans as a right-handed pitcher and shortstop, the Reds don't want to overwork their young star, and likely won't be playing him in the field in the near future.

"We will also take the opportunity to get him at-bats, you know, in between starts I think we can get him in there as a DH," Williams added. "Important not to wear him down in that first pro year but probably won't try to throw him out there in the field as a shortstop. I think that's asking a little too much of a guy in his first pro season."

The Reds employ one of the few two-way athletes in MLB in relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who makes semi-regular pinch-hit appearances. The 25-year-old right-hander's last plate appearance came June 6, and he boasts a paltry .143/.143/.571 slash line over seven at-bats with one home run.