SI made the bold move to put a high school athlete on its cover this week, giving the honor to baseball prospect Hunter Greene.
Greene is a senior at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. and has been a four-year varsity player for the program. Notre Dame is the same school that produced Giancarlo Stanton and Jack McDowell among many other big leaguers.
Greene has been one of the most talked about prospects in baseball for the past few years as he’s been an all-state player since his freshman year and a member of USA Baseball.
In its cover story, SI advertises Greene as Noah Syndergaard on the mound and Alex Rodriguez in the field. Greene has been clocked at over 100 mph as a pitcher and can hit balls out of MLB stadiums with a wood bat. That duality has led to a predicament, which is figuring out how to use Greene at the next level. Will he be a pitcher or position player in MLB? The Minnesota Twins, picking No. 1 overall, could have the chance to decide that, though many think Greene’s greatest value will be as a pitcher.
Greene is the first high school baseball player featured on the SI cover since Bryce Harper and just the 13th high schooler overall who’s been placed on the magazine’s cover. Other such athletes include Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.
One area where Greene truly stands out is with his character. He has done off-the-field charity for years and frequently lauds his teammates in interviews, trying to make sure they get celebrated as much as he does.
So it was no surprise that when the cover story came out Tuesday, Greene’s only words were that he was “humbled”. He then thanked all his teammates and coaches.
Hmbled 2day Thxful @SI_LeeJenkins @SInow my t.mates, coaches @NDKNIGHTBASE & every1 involved. Dream big/live ea. day like it's your last https://t.co/OHxrWCm1cF
— Hunter Greene (@HunterGreene17) April 25, 2017
It’s not easy to live up to the hype when you’ve been proclaimed as the next great one; that’s a lot of pressure and even a burden. But Greene really has his head screwed on well and has the drive and character to maximize his potential. The Twins should take him confidently, and fans should be looking forward to watching a potential future Hall of Famer.
