Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene on All-Star Game voting: 'Just trying to help this team win'
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene made the All-Star Game for the first time as a reserve in 2024. In 2025, Greene has positioned himself to make the Midsummer Classic as a starter.
He crushed in Phase 1 of fan voting.
"I'm going to be honest, I don't really know how all that voting works and everything," Greene said. "We still got a few weeks. We'll see what happens."
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In his fourth MLB season, Greene is hitting .295 with 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, 24 walks and 102 strikeouts in 80 games, spanning 335 plate appearances. His .878 OPS ranks seventh among American League players.
For his performance, Greene has advanced from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in fan voting for the 2025 All-Star Game — joining teammates Gleyber Torres and Javier Báez. The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which lasts from Monday, June 30, until Wednesday, July 2.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter to me if I'm recognized or not," Greene said. "I'm just trying to help this team win."
Only 16 AL players advanced to Phase 2: two players at each infield position, two players at catcher, two players at designated hitter and four players in the outfield (due to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge's guaranteed spot as the AL's top vote-getter in Phase 1). For Phase 2, the top vote-getter at each position — and the top two vote-getters in the outfield — will be locked in as All-Star starters.
If trends from Phase 1 continue, the Tigers will have three position players starting for the AL in the All-Star Game, which takes place July 15 at Truist Field in Atlanta: Torres at second base and Greene and Báez in the outfield.
In Phase 1, Greene received 2,332,378 votes.
His vote total ranked No. 2 among AL outfielders, trailing only Judge (4,012,983). It also ranked fourth among all AL players, behind Judge, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (3,040,594) and Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez (2,777,085), but ahead of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2,089,666).
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Greene reflected on his 2024 experience at the All-Star Game, in which he entered as the left fielder in the fifth inning. He finished 0-for-2 with a flyout and a strikeout, but he made a sliding catch on defense.
"Just being around the guys," said Greene, who turns 25 in late September. "We play against all these guys. We don't know them as people. They're good dudes. You can learn something from them. I feel like it was kind of a blur, the first time."
He remembers a brief conversation with Judge.
"It's crazy. He puts up these crazy numbers and is the dude every year. It's impressive he can do it every single year. He's a pretty humble guy and just wants to win."
Home Run Derby? Maybe not for Greene
Two players have committed to the eight-player 2025 Home Run Derby, scheduled for July 14: Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves. Recently, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz declined an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby.
Greene is tied for 15th in MLB with 17 home runs.
"I have not thought about it whatsoever," Greene said.
If invited, would Greene participate?
"I don't know," Greene said. "It's a lot of swings."
There's a reason for that uncertainty.
"It's tough on the body," Greene said. "You want to try to have a break as much as possible."
For the 2024 All-Star Game, Greene didn't take batting practice on the field. He only took a few swings in the batting cage within an hour before the Midsummer Classic.
"I didn't do anything until we played," Greene said. "I was exhausted. I played 100 out of 102 games. I was tired. I was trying to stay relaxed and not do anything."
A player is not required to be selected to the All-Star Game to be eligible to participate in the Home Run Derby, which opens the door for Tigers sluggers Spencer Torkelson (17 homers in 76 games) and Kerry Carpenter (14 homers in 75 games).
Torkelson has expressed interest.
Matt Vierling injury update
Outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to play at least two more games on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo.
The 28-year-old will start in the outfield for the Mud Hens on Saturday, June 28, then make another start in the infield — presumably Sunday, June 29 — before the Tigers make a decision.
Neither the Tigers nor the Mud Hens play Monday, June 30.
Both teams play Tuesday, July 1, with the Tigers beginning a three-game series on the road against the Washington Nationals. It's possible both Vierling and right-hander Reese Olson return for the Nationals series.
"I don't know anybody in my chair that will be frustrated with bringing back a guy like Matt Vierling," Hinch said. "When that happens, we'll have plenty to talk about and to address. We're going to move him around the field."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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