Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Entering 2026 With Clear Goals and a New Mindset

The last time we saw Hunter Greene on the mound, he gave up five runs on six hits in just three innings of work in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On Monday, we heard him talk in depth for really the first time since he struggled in that postseason appearance.

“Other than it being my first playoff start and all of those emotions and being able to silence all of those being back home and all of that stuff," Greene told Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard. "My stuff just wasn’t sharp.”

However, he is ready to put that game behind him and focus on the 2026 season.

In 2025, Greene shared an Instagram story that showed his goals for the 2025 season. Those goals were to throw 180 or more innings, have an ERA of 3.00 or less, make the All-Star Game, and win a Cy Young Award.

While he achieved an ERA under 3.00 (2.76), he failed to meet the rest of his goals. But he has a new mindset heading into the 2026 season.

“I set the same goals (this year),” Greene said. “My approach is different. My mindset is different than the prior years. I have different ways to execute that and get to that accolade. I’ve been doing the white board since middle school. I’ve always been a visual learner and a visual person. To have that in my gym and look at it is important. It keeps the main thing the main thing.”

Cincinnati's rotation should be loaded if they can stay healthy. Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer are all locks to make the rotation out of camp. Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, and others will all battle for the fifth spot.

If Greene stays healthy and clears his goal of 180 innings or more, it could change the outlook of the entire Reds pitching staff, from the rotation to the bullpen.

You can read Goldsmith's full article on Greene here, with additional quotes from Greene and pitching coach Derek Johnson.

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