Chase Burns Set for MLB Debut with Cincinnati⁤ Reds

Highly⁣ touted‍ pitching prospect Chase ⁣Burns is slated to make his Major League debut Tuesday night for the Cincinnati Reds.The 22-year-old right-hander ‌will⁤ face a tough challenge at Great American Ballpark, which Statcast.com ranks as baseball’s most home run-pleasant venue over the past two decades.

Burns,​ the Cincinnati⁣ Reds’ top pitching prospect, quickly ascended through⁢ the minor leagues after being drafted No. 2 overall last year. His professional debut on April 3​ with the ⁣Dayton Dragons saw him‌ allow just one hit in four scoreless innings against ⁢the West Michigan ⁣Whitecaps, striking out six.

in his⁢ most​ recent start for the Reds’⁣ Triple-A affiliate,⁤ Burns pitched‍ seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while⁤ striking out ⁢seven. “We⁣ knew they were swinging a⁢ lot, so we attacked,” Burns told Fox19 in cincinnati. ‍”All pitching‍ is ⁣adjusting to see what they do. They⁣ were swinging a ​lot, so‌ I put the ball in the zone and ‍let them have it.”

Surprise Rise?

One⁢ National League scout attributes Burns’ ​rapid rise to his even-keeled approach, in addition to his fastball that tops⁢ out at 102 mph‌ and a sharp slider. ⁢”He’s talented ⁢yet humble, works hard, accepts coaching, and⁢ in general is everything⁤ you⁢ want in a young ‍player. I’m not surprised at all at ⁣his success⁢ thus far,”⁣ the scout ​said.

Burns himself admitted surprise at being the second overall ‍pick and⁢ receiving a record $9.25 million signing bonus. “I was surprised, but I really⁢ didn’t know what to think,” he said.

Considered the best pitcher in the draft after ‌a stellar​ college career, Burns transferred to Wake Forest after two‌ seasons at Tennessee. In 2024, he ​went ‍10-1 with‍ a 2.70 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings.

Burns credits the move to Wake Forest for significant ⁢advancement.”There were so ⁣many changes that I ⁣couldn’t even name them all… Being at a⁤ new place ⁢helped me… All of the characteristics of my pitches improved. The ⁢mental game. Drills. All kinds of stuff.”

Extraordinary company

Burns is the ‌first pitcher drafted in​ 2024 to start a Major League game. Paul Skenes, the top pick ​in 2023, debuted earlier this year and ‌even started the All-Star Game, winning the ​NL rookie of the Year award with an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA.

Comparing‍ their⁢ minor league numbers per nine innings:

• Skenes: 5.8 hits allowed, 2.6 walks allowed, 14.6 strikeouts.
• Burns: 5.2 hits allowed, 1.8 walks allowed, 12.1 strikeouts.

Jacob Misiorowski, another hard-throwing pitching prospect, recently made waves with the milwaukee Brewers,​ setting a record by not allowing a hit in his first 11 MLB innings. His minor league⁣ numbers show a different path:

• Misiorowski: 5.3 hits allowed, 5.4 walks allowed, 12.3 strikeouts.

Misiorowski’s ⁣higher walk ​rate demonstrates the importance of command.

Skipping the Minors

Historically, some pitchers have ‍gone straight to the Majors, including‍ Hall ‌of Famers like Eddie Plank and ‌Bob Feller. More⁢ recently, Garrett Crochet and⁢ Jim abbott made the jump.

Notable Quick Call-Ups

Don Gullett reached the Reds at 19 after just 11 minor league starts. Justin Verlander debuted with the Detroit Tigers at⁢ 22 after 20⁣ minor league starts. Vida Blue won the AL Rookie of the Year⁢ and Cy Young in 1971 at 22.

Jim Palmer, despite control issues⁢ in the minors, had ⁣a Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Orioles.

In contrast, shane bieber had remarkable control in the minors, walking very‌ few batters before his MLB debut.

Chase Burns’ Outlook

The numbers ‍and scouting reports suggest Chase Burns has the potential for success. The ⁣Reds will monitor his​ workload‌ carefully. While⁢ arm injuries ⁢are a concern‌ for all pitchers, burns’ talent and intangibles make him an⁤ exciting prospect to watch.

The Cincinnati Reds and their fans eagerly anticipate Chase Burns’⁢ debut on tuesday night.