Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings June 13, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1997-For the first time in the Reds 129-year history, the club plays an American League opponent during the regular season. The White Sox win, 3-1 MLB.COM Reds take star HS RHP Greene at No. 2 By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 3:33 AM ET + 100 COMMENTS CINCINNATI -- Pitcher Hunter Greene was arguably the best prospect available in the 2017 Draft, and with the No. 2 overall selection Monday, the Reds selected him out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 1 Draft prospect in the class, the right-handed Greene has a fastball that has shown 102 mph on the radar gun. He is already a national phenomenon, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated earlier this spring. "I spent the last couple of months worrying that we weren't picking high enough to get him," Reds general manager Dick Williams said. "I'm really thrilled that we were able to get him at No. 2." • Reds' 32nd overall: Jeter Downs • Reds' 38th overall: Stuart Fairchild Greene attended the Draft at MLB Network studios and did not have to waste a moment to put on a Reds jersey and cap while meeting MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. "This is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I get to go out and start my career and have a blast with a great ballclub and a great group of guys," Greene said. The Reds selected Greene as a pitcher, but he's also a shortstop and could be a rare dynamic two-way player. Had he entered the Draft as a position player, he likely would also have been a first-round pick. "We're going to leave the door open for both," Williams said. "This is a very unique situation, something we've never been confronted with before. We're thrilled to have the opportunity to go through this with Hunter. "I will say we think the elite talent is there both ways, but pitching will be the first focus, this summer in particular. We want to make sure he builds up some more innings and that will be the focus. While he's in the process of building up innings, I think he can get at-bats." Greene trusted the organization to make the right decision. "Whatever they want me to do, I am going to be pumped to do it, just compete and be the best I can be," Greene said. The Draft continues on Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with exclusive coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Greene, who will turn 18 in August, attended the alma mater of All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton. He has been part of MLB's developmental program for a decade, first going to the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., at the age of 7. "They had great Major League tutelage there," Greene said. "But the thing I took the most out of it was being a Major League citizen and helping other people and just being a responsible young man and working hard every time I step on that baseball field." Cincinnati is also home to an Urban Youth Academy, and should Greene pan out and reach the Major Leagues, he's excited to participate in programming at that facility. "Having the connection already at the one in Compton and now coming over to Cincinnati and having those relationships is something I'm already looking forward to doing," Greene said. During his senior season at Notre Dame, Greene was 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in five games, recording 43 strikeouts and four walks over 28 innings. He had a 1.62 ERA over his high school career, also batting .324/.374/.598 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. He has played for the U.S. national team at various levels, helping the 18-and-under squad win the World Cup in 2015, when he was just 15 years old. Both Williams and Greene expressed optimism that his signing could happen quickly. "I am just excited to go out there as soon as possible, be able to meet the staff and the players and get the ball rolling and start something special," Greene said. Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Reds select shortstop named Jeter at 32 By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 4:01 AM ET + 5 COMMENTS CINCINNATI -- Using their competitive-balance pick at No. 32 overall in the MLB Draft, the Reds selected a shortstop with a fitting name of one of the best to play the game. It was Jeter Downs from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Fla. Ranked as the No. 37 prospect in the Draft by MLBPipeline.com, the 18-year-old Downs was born in St. Andres, Colombia, and was indeed named after former Yankees great shortstop Derek Jeter. "When he came into the Major Leagues [in 1995], he was the name. He was the thing. He was shining," Downs explained. "It was 'Jeter this, Jeter that.' It was actually my Mom's idea. My brother got Jerry from my Dad [Jerry Sr.]. It was my Mom's turn to pick a name since I was a second child. She just fell in love with Jeter and the way he played, his humbleness, how he carried himself on and off the field. "That's how I pride myself. I try to do the right thing on and off the field, whether it's baseball-related or out with friends or helping somebody out on the street. It's kind of ironic that I have the name because that's exactly the person I model myself after." Also ironically, the Reds had the opportunity to draft Derek Jeter with the fifth overall pick in the 1992 Draft but passed on him to take outfielder Chad Mottola. Jeter was taken sixth by the Yankees and became a superstar, while Mottola never really materialized after he reached the big leagues. But they didn't pass on this Jeter. The Draft continues Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with exclusive coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. According to Draft scouting reports, Downs is viewed as a solid defensive player at shortstop, with a slightly above-average arm. "We've seen Jeter. He's played in almost everything," Reds vice president of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said. "A young shortstop from Miami who is very advanced with his bat. Even though he's in a high-school uniform, he's a little more like a college player. He's very, very advanced." Downs has a baseball family. His father played professionally in Colombia, and his brother was taken by the Red Sox in the 15th round of the 2015 Draft. His father, who currently works for Carnival Cruise Lines, always planned on bringing his kids to America to play ball. "His dream was always to bring us over here and let us chase our dreams and work hard and one day be at this point," Downs said. "This is just the starting point. Now I've just got to work hard every single day to make it to the big leagues." Downs has a commitment to play for the University of Miami, but appeared very excited about starting a professional career. "I've been dreaming about this since I was 10 years old," Downs said. "It has finally come, and it still feels so surreal." Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Arroyo tripped up by Padres' big 2nd inning By Jay Paris and Nathan Ruiz / MLB.com | 2:19 AM ET + 22 COMMENTS In recognition of the 2017 MLB Draft, which runs through Wednesday, we are including where and when each player was drafted. For complete coverage of the Draft -- which you can watch live in its entirety on MLB.com -- please visit Draft Central. SAN DIEGO -- On the night they added more young talent to their organization, the Padres proved they already have plenty, with Franchy Cordero's first homer the highlight of a six-run, second-inning outburst that guided San Diego to a 9-3 victory over the Reds on Monday. Cordero's opportunity with the Padres is the result of several injuries in their outfield, prompting his May callup. The 22-year-old rookie was a shortstop until 2015, but he's hit .298/.353/.511 while serving as the Padres' primary center fielder in recent weeks. "You always have to have faith," Cordero said through a team interpreter. "In yourself, in your talent, and believe that things are going to happen. "I've always been looking for that home run. I've always been waiting for it." Shortly after the Padres made their second of three Draft picks Monday, Reds right-hander Bronson Arroyo (No. 69 overall pick, 1995 Draft, Hernando HS in Florida) hit Cory Spangenberg (No.