Chase Burns

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81+1⁄3 innings pitched. Burns was named the Freshman Pitcher of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association at the end of the season. [5]

Burns entered his sophomore season as a member of the Volunteers' starting rotation, but was moved to a relief role midway through the season after going 2-3 with a 6.10 ERA as starter. [6] In postseason play, Burns allowed only one run scored and struck out 22 over 16 innings pitched, including throwing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a 6-4 win over Stanford in the 2023 Men's College World Series. [7] He finished the season with a 5-3 record and two saves with a 4.25 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 72 innings pitched. After the season, Burns entered the NCAA transfer portal. [8]

Burns ultimately transferred to Wake Forest. [9] At Wake Forest, he set a school record with 191 strikeouts in a single season and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year. [10]

Professional career

The Cincinnati Reds selected Burns in the first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft with the second overall pick. On July 18, he signed with the team for $9.25 million, breaking the MLB signing bonus record set by Paul Skenes the year prior. [11] After the draft Burns began working out at the Reds spring training site, Goodyear Ballpark, then was assigned to the Arizona Instructional League. [12] Burns made his professional debut with the Dayton Dragons on April 4, 2025, and swiftly advanced through the Reds minor league system. [12] After three appearances in Single-A, Burns was elevated to the Chattanooga Lookouts. In eight appearances at the Double-A level, Burns added a changeup to his pitch mix. He soon joined the Louisville Bats for two starts, and was then promoted to the majors. [13] [14]

On June 24, 2025, the Reds promoted Burns to the big leagues for the first time. [15] He was the first pitcher of the 2024 draft class to be promoted to the majors. [16] [17] He is the sixth Italian-born pitcher in Major League Baseball, and the first since the 2024 season. [18] [19] Burns made his debut against the New York Yankees, striking out eight batters, including five in a row to start the game. Burns became the first starting pitcher since at least the Expansion Era (1961) to strike out the first five batters to open a debut. [20] He allowed six hits, three earned runs, and earned a no-decision in his MLB debut. [21] Chase struggled in his second outing giving up 7 runs while getting just one out in a blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox. [22] [20] [23]

Personal life

Burns' favorite player and team as a child was Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. [24] Burns was born in Italy where his parents were stationed with the United States military. [18] His father played college football for the North Greenville Trailblazers. [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Tennessee baseball signee Chase Burns and his 101 mph fastball win fans". The Tennessean . May 18, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  2. ↑ Wilson, Mike (July 15, 2021). "Tennessee baseball won in MLB Draft by getting Chase Burns to campus". Knoxville News Sentinel . Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Chase Burns highlights new-look Tennessee baseball's opening win". Knoxville News Sentinel . February 18, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ Chester, Michella (May 4, 2022). "Hear from Chase Burns and Drew Beam, Tennessee's freshman pitching duo". NCAA.com. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ Rickens, Zack (June 14, 2022). "Tennessee's Burns named Freshman Pitcher of the Year". WATE.tv . Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Mike (June 18, 2023). "How Chase Burns became Tennessee baseball's bullpen superstar". Knoxville News Sentinel . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Chase Burns' outing helps Tennessee eliminate Stanford in MCWS". ESPN.com . Associated Press. June 19, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  8. ↑ Low, Chris (June 27, 2023). "Tennessee standout reliever Chase Burns in transfer portal". ESPN.com . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ Dell, John (July 13, 2023). "Demon Deacons pick up talented pitcher Chase Burns". Winston-Salem Journal . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Chase Burns - Baseball". Wake Forest University Athletics . Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  11. ↑ Rapien, James (July 18, 2024). "Look: Cincinnati Reds Sign No. 2 Overall Pick Chase Burns to Record-Setting Deal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Avallone, Michael. "Red-letter day for Burns (with lots of K's) in pro debut at High-A". MLB.com. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ Brennan, Pat (June 23, 2025). "'A dream come true.' Chase Burns discusses his Cincinnati Reds debut vs. New York Yankees". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ Sheldon, Mark (June 23, 2025). "'It's surreal': Top prospect Burns to debut after meteoric rise through Minors". MLB.com. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  15. ↑ Sheldon, Mark (June 22, 2025). "Reds righty Burns, last year's No. 2 pick, to debut Tuesday vs. Yanks". MLB.com. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  16. ↑ Axisa, Mike (June 23, 2025). "Chase Burns called up for MLB debut: Reds to promote No. 2 draft pick to face Yankees". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  17. ↑ Clark, Dave (June 22, 2025). "Five things to know about Chase Burns facing the Yankees in his MLB debut". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Foster, Jason (July 14, 2024). "Get to know No. 2 Draft pick Chase Burns". MLB.com. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  19. ↑ Keel, Fletcher. "Reds' No. 1 prospect Chase Burns to make MLB debut Tuesday". WLWT. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "'Lot of mistakes': Burns unable to escape first inning in second MLB start". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  21. ↑ Sheldon, Mark (June 24, 2025). "Undaunted Burns makes history with 5 straight K's to begin MLB career". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  22. ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  23. ↑ Bender, Howard (July 6, 2025). "Fantasy baseball: Double down on these two rookies despite hiccups" . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Reds prospect Chase Burns excited to make MLB debut vs. Yankees". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
Chase Burns
Chase Burns (53320191122) (cropped).jpg
Burns with Tennessee in 2023
Cincinnati Reds – No. 26
Pitcher
Born: (2003-01-16) January 16, 2003 (age 22)
Naples, Italy
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 24, 2025, for the Cincinnati Reds
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