Taking the second slot in the 2024 MLB Draft, Cincinnati Reds opted for high-octane starter Chase Burns, hailing from Wake Forest University. Not even a full year has passed since his name was announced on the big stage, and now Burns is ready for his inaugural foray into the majors, based out of Cincinnati. His introduction to the world of professional baseball will be a high-stakes face-off against Aaron Judge and his Yankees team; a challenge that numerous Reds followers believe he is up for.
Notably, one ardent supporter drew comparison between Burns and the Reds’ headline act. The speed of Burns’ fastball, which has been recorded at an impressive 102 mph, is similar to that of the Reds’ ace, Hunter Greene. Greene, like Burns, was also chosen as the second overall pick, creating an interesting parallel between their careers.
At his lethal best, Burns wields a four-pitch repertoire as a right-hand hurler with dominating power. Mimicking the mould of fellow player Hunter Greene, Burns has a slider that overshadows his remarkable fastball, gaining as much, if not more attention. The common theme is that despite their dauntingly fast throws, the slider commands an equal, if not larger share of the limelight.
Despite Burns’ obvious potential, there were initial doubts surrounding his maximum capacity as a pitcher, primarily revolving around the management of his fastball. The incisiveness and accuracy of his fastball was questionable at times, leading to an elevated walk rate and eventually his switch from Tennessee to Wake Forest University.
During his stint at Wake Forest, Burns underwent a transformative period in his playstyle, implementing changes that helped place him at the coveted second overall pick. These adopted alterations remained with him during his transition to the Reds’ system, having a positive effect on his overall performance.
In his 16 appearances for Wake Forest throughout 2024, Burns scored a total of 30 walks. However, upon moving to the Reds and starting in 13 games throughout their minor league framework, his numbers dropped significantly to just 13 walks.
Beyond simply reducing his walk count, Burns made strides in other areas of his game after trading his college jersey for the Reds’. For instance, his WHIP (Walks Plus Hits per Innings Pitched), a crucial metric in baseball, showed remarkable improvement. His WHIP during his time at Wake Forest in 2024 was a solid 0.92, but it made a noticeable descent in the minors, clocking in at a considerably lower 0.77.
Burns’ signing created a stir in itself, serving up a draft record signing bonus of $9.25 million offered by the Reds. This substantial amount surpassed the previous benchmark set by Pirates’ star player Paul Skenes, who bagged a close $9.2 million during his own signing. This record-breaking move not only highlights the trust placed on Burns by the Reds, but also underscores the high expectations for his performance in the big leagues.
The post Reds’ Record Signing Chase Burns Set to Debut in Majors appeared first on Real News Now.
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