DETROIT — The Tigers first round draft pick, Riley Greene from Hagerty High School, got his wish. Greene signed his contract early Friday afternoon and wanted to hit batting practice and meet Miguel Cabrera. The 18-year-old is known for his strong batting performance and he showed it in Comerica Park. Hall of Famer Al Kaline was watching from behind a batting cage, and Greene launched a ball onto the Pepsi Porch on the second deck in right field. The ball bounced into Kaline’s Corner. Witnesses heard Tiger great Miguel Cabrera yell from the dugout, “Leave him here!”
“So, taking BP (batting practice) is probably one of my favorite things to do, like ever,” Greene said at a press conference Friday. “Especially on a big-league field, on this field, my first time here. I am really looking forward to it.”
The Tigers drafted Greene fifth overall and signed him to a $6.1 million contract. As a senior, Greene hit .422 with eight home runs and a .550 on-base percentage. On Monday, June 10th Greene will start his professional career in Lakeland, Florida.