For those who missed it, this past Friday marked the latest outing for the Cincinnati Reds top prospect Chase Burns. In just his second start since being promoted to Double-A, Burns looks like he’s more than up for the new challenge. The right-handed starter continued his red-hot start to his season, striking out eight batters in five innings of work.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (81) during the annual team picture day at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
It took only 59 pitches for Burns to get through his start, with 45 being strikes. He finished the night having surrendered just one run, which came in the first inning. In the end, Burns only gave up five hits without allowing a walk for the first time this season.
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Five starts into his 2025 season and Burns owns a 2.61 earned run average. His 33 strikeouts in 20.2 innings of work equate to a strikeout rate of 14.7 per nine innings. These numbers will decrease as his opposition improves at each level. However, it indicates that Burns has what it takes to develop into a strikeout artist as a starting pitcher.
To date, Burns has given up 15 total hits, six earned runs, and six walks in 2025. There is still more to polish with his game, and improvements to be made with his command. Yet, it is impossible not to buy into the potential of the Wake Forest product.
Currently ranked baseball’s 22nd best prospect, Burns’ dominance comes as no surprise. After all, when the Reds selected him 2nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the team knew he had frontline-starter upside. He’s got elite velocity and a great pitch arsenal, and with the proper development, could be on the fast track through the minors.
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