Former FMU standout enjoying steady climb through minor leagues

Long bus trips through small towns are a way of life for minor leaguers.

And they’re something Justin Greene embraces.

The former Francis Marion standout and member of the Chicago White Sox organization has enjoyed his travels in stops in Bristol, Tenn., Kannapolis, N.C., and now Winston Salem, N.C.

“I love playing on the road and seeing what’s out there,” Greene said this week. “I actually do better when I’m on the road and can focus more.”

Greene will get more chances to experience new places because he was promoted last Saturday to the Winston-Salem Dash of the Class A Advanced affiliate for the White Sox.

Greene got the news around midnight when he was sitting in his hotel room in Charleston, where Kannapolis was playing a series against the Riverdogs.

That presented a problem for Greene, a Goose Creek native, because several family and friends had tickets to see him play for the first time in his minor league career.

“They understood and weren’t disappointed,” Greene said. “They were definitely glad I got promoted.”

Greene’s first at-bat with the Dash came against two-time All-Star selection Tim Hudson, who was on a rehab assignment with Myrtle Beach.

Greene drew a walk against Hudson, the only Dash player to reach base in the inning, and also singled later in the game.

“I was kind of shell-shocked to face him,” said Greene, who is hitting .250 with two RBI in six games since being promoted. “But I was just going to do my best to get the bat on the ball.”

Not much has shell-shocked Greene this season. With Kannapolis, the center fielder was hitting .303 with seven homers and 24 RBI to go along with 16 stolen bases and 56 runs scored.

Despite the strong numbers, the 23-year-old didn’t receive a promotion right away.

But Greene has learned about patience and perseverance dating back to his high school days when he was cut as a sophomore at Stratford High School.

And at FMU, success wasn’t overnight. Greene had to walk on to the team and was redshirted his freshman year.

“I’ve been the underdog my entire career,” Greene said. “And if I had to change it, I would not change anything.

“Everything happens for a reason. It’s just an honor and blessing I could do something I love.”

Greene credits a lot of success this year working with White Sox hitting instructor Jeff Manto, who spent nine years in the major leagues with seven different teams. Manto worked with him on closing up
his stance, which Greene called “unorthodox” and learning to take shorter strides when swinging.

“He (Manto) said if I wanted to succeed than I needed to change some things,” Greene said. “It definitely has paid off.”

Now, Greene hopes to continue his success with the Dash, who won the Carolina League’s Southern Division first-half title, with hopes of beginning next season in Double-A with the Birmingham Barons.

“I just have to keep doing what I have been doing and then let the people who make the decisions do their job,” Greene said. “Right now, I am going to just do my best to fit in and try my hardest to get the Dash get a ring.”