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CINCINNATI — At the start of spring training, at least technically, starting pitcher Chase Burns was competing for a spot in the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation.
Before injuries hit the Reds’ rotation in March, Burns and Rhett Lowder were among the pitchers competing for the fifth spot. Burns was coming off of a very promising rookie season, but he only had eight big league starts under his belt. A few months later, he looks like one of the best pitchers in MLB.
Through Thursday, June 18, Burns ranks fourth in the league in ERA, 10th in WHIP, third in batting average allowed and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings.
“That kid is special,” Eugenio Suárez said. “He does whatever he wants. Playing behind him is awesome. It’s very special to play behind him. Right now, he’s one of the best.”
The Reds have thrown a lot at Burns very quickly. He was drafted in July of 2024, and he didn’t pitch in the Minor Leagues that year following a full college season at Wake Forest.
Burns opened the 2025 season in High-A Dayton, and he was promoted to Double-A within the first month of the season. In early June last year, he was promoted to Triple-A. Then, after just two starts in Triple-A, he was called up to the big leagues. He was ready.
With his talent, a lot is possible.
“I think that gets very exciting for us because we believe that and he’s done really well already,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “I think there are better days ahead. That’s how good he can be.”
Ask Hal: What can MLB learn from Banana Ball?
The Reds did have guardrails up to prevent Burns from pitching too many innings last year. He was moved to the bullpen in August, and Terry Francona carefully managed him down the stretch. Still, in must-win games, Burns was getting critical outs for the Reds.
Even since last September, Burns has made a big leap. Starting pitcher Brady Singer is blown away by Burns’ growth.
“You see that maturity come in really quick,” Singer said. “It’s a 180 from last year. The calmness, he has a plan out there. He’s not spinning. He’s not overdoing stuff. The emotion, he wants it. You can see that he wants to be really, really good. He’s obviously really, really good. He’s just excited to go out there and have success.”
The next step for Burns is pitching deeper into games. While he has made every start, he’s averaging just over 5 ⅔ innings per start. That stat is the reason why Burns isn’t quite yet in the Cy Young conversation with Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers and Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Still, Burns should join them at the All-Star Game next month. His five shutout innings on Monday, June 15 against the Mets was another example of what he’s capable of as he forced some ridiculous swings from New York superstar Juan Soto.
“The mentality is the same, just go out there and (compete),” Burns said. “I was just executing.”
Burns’ 2024 MLB Draft Class already looks pretty historic.
Travis Bazzana is already one of the best players on the Guardians, Nick Kurtz of the Athletics is the hottest slugger in the AL West, Jac Caglianone of the Royals could become one of the best sluggers in the game, JJ Wetherholt is already one of the best players on the Cardinals and Konnor Griffin of the Pirates has already signed a $140 million contract extension.
As good as the rest of the class is, the Reds are beyond thrilled to have Burns on their team.
Continue reading...
Before injuries hit the Reds’ rotation in March, Burns and Rhett Lowder were among the pitchers competing for the fifth spot. Burns was coming off of a very promising rookie season, but he only had eight big league starts under his belt. A few months later, he looks like one of the best pitchers in MLB.
Through Thursday, June 18, Burns ranks fourth in the league in ERA, 10th in WHIP, third in batting average allowed and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings.
“That kid is special,” Eugenio Suárez said. “He does whatever he wants. Playing behind him is awesome. It’s very special to play behind him. Right now, he’s one of the best.”
The Reds have thrown a lot at Burns very quickly. He was drafted in July of 2024, and he didn’t pitch in the Minor Leagues that year following a full college season at Wake Forest.
Burns opened the 2025 season in High-A Dayton, and he was promoted to Double-A within the first month of the season. In early June last year, he was promoted to Triple-A. Then, after just two starts in Triple-A, he was called up to the big leagues. He was ready.
With his talent, a lot is possible.
“I think that gets very exciting for us because we believe that and he’s done really well already,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “I think there are better days ahead. That’s how good he can be.”
Ask Hal: What can MLB learn from Banana Ball?
The Reds did have guardrails up to prevent Burns from pitching too many innings last year. He was moved to the bullpen in August, and Terry Francona carefully managed him down the stretch. Still, in must-win games, Burns was getting critical outs for the Reds.
Even since last September, Burns has made a big leap. Starting pitcher Brady Singer is blown away by Burns’ growth.
“You see that maturity come in really quick,” Singer said. “It’s a 180 from last year. The calmness, he has a plan out there. He’s not spinning. He’s not overdoing stuff. The emotion, he wants it. You can see that he wants to be really, really good. He’s obviously really, really good. He’s just excited to go out there and have success.”
The next step for Burns is pitching deeper into games. While he has made every start, he’s averaging just over 5 ⅔ innings per start. That stat is the reason why Burns isn’t quite yet in the Cy Young conversation with Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers and Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Still, Burns should join them at the All-Star Game next month. His five shutout innings on Monday, June 15 against the Mets was another example of what he’s capable of as he forced some ridiculous swings from New York superstar Juan Soto.
“The mentality is the same, just go out there and (compete),” Burns said. “I was just executing.”
Burns’ 2024 MLB Draft Class already looks pretty historic.
Travis Bazzana is already one of the best players on the Guardians, Nick Kurtz of the Athletics is the hottest slugger in the AL West, Jac Caglianone of the Royals could become one of the best sluggers in the game, JJ Wetherholt is already one of the best players on the Cardinals and Konnor Griffin of the Pirates has already signed a $140 million contract extension.
As good as the rest of the class is, the Reds are beyond thrilled to have Burns on their team.
Continue reading...
