Tigers' Riley Greene Breaks Down Swing After Breakout 2025 Season

Detroit outfielder details changes that led to career-high 36 home runs and 111 RBIs

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, who set new career highs with 36 home runs and 111 RBIs in 2025, broke down the swing changes he made that contributed to his breakout season. Greene discussed his approach with former MLB slugger Cliff Floyd on MLB Network, as the Tigers look to build on their AL Wild Card appearance and push deeper into the playoffs in 2026.

Why it matters

Greene's breakout 2025 campaign was a key factor in the Tigers' return to the postseason, and his continued development will be crucial as the team aims to take the next step and potentially reach the World Series. The Tigers have a talented core of homegrown players, and Greene's ability to build on his success could help propel the team to new heights.

The details

After an inconsistent second half of the 2025 season, the Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card series but fell to the Seattle Mariners in five games in the ALDS. Greene, once a top Tigers prospect, finally showed he was worth the hype, setting new career highs in home runs (36) and RBIs (111). In an effort to continue his ascent, Greene broke down the swing changes he made that contributed to his breakout year in a discussion with former MLB slugger Cliff Floyd on MLB Network.

  • The Tigers lost to the Mariners in an all-time ALDS Game 5 in 2025.
  • The Tigers' front office, led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, went to work in the offseason, signing left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal to pair with ace Tarik Skubal atop the rotation.
  • The 2026 season is set to begin, with the Tigers' core players in their physical primes and looking to take the next step after their Wild Card appearance in 2025.

The players

Riley Greene

A Detroit Tigers outfielder who broke out in 2025 with career highs of 36 home runs and 111 RBIs, and is now looking to build on that success to help the team push deeper into the playoffs.

Scott Harris

The president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers, who led the team's efforts to improve the roster in the offseason following their 2025 playoff appearance.

Tarik Skubal

The Tigers' ace pitcher, whose contract situation has been a focus of the offseason as the team looks to build around its homegrown core.

Framber Valdez

The left-handed pitcher the Tigers signed to a three-year, $115 million deal in the offseason, giving Skubal a formidable partner atop the rotation.

Cliff Floyd

The former MLB slugger who interviewed Greene on MLB Network about the changes to his swing that contributed to his breakout 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“Riley Greene set new career highs last season with 36 HR and 111 RBI 💪. The @tigers slugger detailed his swing approach with @CliffFloyd30 in the batting cages.”

— MLB Network (Twitter)

What’s next

The Tigers will look to build on their 2025 playoff appearance and push deeper into the postseason in 2026, with Greene's continued development a key factor in their success.

The takeaway

Riley Greene's breakout 2025 season was a major reason the Tigers returned to the playoffs, and his ability to build on that success will be crucial as the team aims to take the next step and potentially reach the World Series. The Tigers have a talented core of homegrown players, and Greene's growth could help propel the team to new heights.