Riley Greene will make his major league debut Saturday against the Texas Rangers. Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tigers call up top prospect Riley Greene for MLB debut

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jun 17, 2022 9:54 PM ET

On Friday, the Detroit Tigers announced the call-up of outfielder and top prospect Riley Greene.

Greene, 21, was selected fifth overall by the Tigers in the 2019 MLB draft and will make his major league debut Saturday against the Texas Rangers.

Here. We. Go.

Tomorrow we will select the contract of MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 overall prospect, @Greene21Riley. pic.twitter.com/m3XGrCNNe5
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 17, 2022

Greene is the No. 2-ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He would've likely begun the season with the big club but suffered a broken foot at the end of spring training.

During rehab, Greene split time between Triple-A Toledo and Single-A Lakeland. In 17 minor league games, Greene batted .279/.347/.382 with a home run and eight RBI.

The Tigers needed another outfielder on the active roster after placing Austin Meadows on the COVID-19 injured list. Manager A.J. Hinch believes it's the right time and situation for Greene's major league debut.

"It was kind of a matter of days until he was going to be called up," Hinch told MLB.com's Jason Beck. "So, it lines up. Unfortunately, we lose Austin in the process. But what a journey for Riley to get the call."

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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