Chase Burns, the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, who has excelled at three levels of the minor leagues this season, will be called up this week to make his Major League debut with the Cincinnati Reds. Burns, a right-handed opener and the number 12 prospect in the Top 50, will take the mound on Tuesday at home against the New York Yankees. At 22 years old, Burns relies on a fastball that exceeds 90 mph, and his 86-90 mph slider is possibly the best breaking pitch in the minor leagues. He has made 13 starts in his professional career, the last one with the Louisville. The Reds have had a season of ups and downs, but with a 39-38 record, they are still in the fight for a National League wild card spot, and Burns will add intrigue to the series against New York. Cincinnati has lost three consecutive games before the end of Sunday’s series with the St. Louis Cardinals, before opening a home series with the Yankees on Monday night. Burns is 7-3 with a 1.77 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66 innings in the minor leagues. Prior to his selection in 2024, he pitched in both the SEC, for the Tennessee Volunteers, and the ACC, for Wake Forest.
While the Reds have been inconsistent offensively this season, their pitching has been solid. Until Friday’s loss, the Reds were 16th overall in team ERA with 3.90, and 20th with a WHIP of 1.23. However, they placed left-hander Wade Miley on the injured list on Friday and had to resort to a bullpen game on Saturday.We are trying to give ourselves every opportunity to win and be in this, and at this moment, we feel that Chase gives us the best opportunity, and it’s time to go.
Brad Meador, Reds general manager
Pitching for the Double-A Chattanooga this season, Burns was 6-1 with a 1.29 ERA in eight starts before reaching Louisville. On Tuesday at Great American Ball Park, he is likely to face New York’s Carlos Rodón, who is 9-5 this season with a 3.10 ERA.Trying to figure out when the right time is is always the hardest part. You never know for sure when a guy is ready.
Meador
