Chase Burns

Chase David Burns (born January 16, 2003) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers and Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Burns was selected by the Reds with the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2025.

Chase Burns
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
MLB statistics (through August 8, 2025)
Win–loss record	0–3
Earned run average	5.24
Strikeouts	57
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (2025–present)

Amateur career

Burns grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee and initially attended Station Camp High School. He transferred Beech Senior High School before the start of his senior year.^[1] Burns was selected in the 20th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres, but did not sign with the team.^[2]

Burns entered his freshman season at Tennessee as a member of the Volunteers' starting rotation.^[3][4] He finished the season with a 8-2 record and 2.91 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 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 proceeded to get shelled in his second outing giving up 7 runs while getting just one out in a blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox.^[22][23][24]

Personal life

Burns' favorite player and team as a child was Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees.^[25] 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]