CINCINNATI -- Wednesday's press conference following Hunter Greene's six-year, $53 million contract extension was wrapping up, but the 23-year-old had something to add. 

"My family's here -- my pops and mom, my brother and sister," he said. "Thank you, guys. Thanks for all the support. I didn't want to break down, but you guys have been amazing. The game is really difficult. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. So they've been here, obviously, from Day 1."

Greene's father, Russell; mother, Senta; sister, Libriti and brother, Ethan, came from Los Angeles for the press conference.  

"He's been really good about acknowledging those who supported his path," Senta said. "We did not anticipate that special nod to the family, but we're incredibly grateful for that. We're incredibly happy for him and the city. It's the next chapter in his life. It's a beautiful and exciting time. 

"We're all glad to be here for that we're here to witness it."

Greene's character played no small part in the deal. The right-hander has been involved in the local community since he was drafted.

"We look at Hunter as a talented player, but he's great off the field as well," general manager Nick Krall said. "That's what we want to build around. We want to build around players that come from our system but players who have significant on-the-field and off-the-field contributions. Hunter was a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award nominee. We felt Hunter was the right person."

Krall said the Reds are working to sign others from their young core. “But I’m not going to get into specifics,” he said.

Greene was the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high schooler. He's as polished and media savvy as any young player in baseball. He grew up in L.A., so some expected him to take his talents to a big market as soon as possible.

But he says Cincinnati and the Reds organization feel like home.

"I've been a part of Cincinnati for a long time," Greene said. "Being drafted in 2017, coming out here -- I think that was the last time I was in this room, at 17 years old. I've done a lot within the community. I plan on doing a lot more while I'm here. I feel at home. I feel like I know a lot of people, not just here with the Reds, but the Reds Community Fund and at the youth academy. I just went to Taft High School the other day, and they welcomed me with open arms.

"Just everything I've been able to do, all the opportunities I've had within the city, it's been really special. I just look forward to building on that."

The Reds haven't won a postseason series since 1995. They're in the early stages of a rebuild, and Greene is optimistic that he and his young teammates can turn things around. 

"I'm fired up," Greene said. "... There's a lot that goes into this. To be here now is special. I think the most important thing is the team that we have. We have a lot of great players in the system. We have a lot of great players that are here now.

"We have a great staff. Being able to come up through the system and see the development that everyone has gone through, including myself. Being able to trust in that system."

Greene is a cerebral player and has had conversations with Krall and manager David Bell about what comes next in the Reds' rebuild.

The Reds are confident Greene will continue to develop. He was 5-13 with a 4.44 ERA last year. But he showed he could be dominant, putting up a 1.02 ERA over his final six starts last season. He's 0-0 with a 4.24 ERA this year.

Greene has all the tools to be an ace -- an electric fastball, a 6-foot-5 frame and baseball aptitude. But getting to the big leagues at 22 takes work.

"Hunter's a hard worker," Bell said. "He asks a lot of questions. He's going to find ways to get better over time. He's 23 years old. He's got a long way to go. Most importantly, Hunter, by being exactly who he is, is going to be a great example for our team, for his teammates and for players coming up through our system and for Cincinnati. He doesn't have to do anything other than be himself."