The Cincinnati Reds have selected Chase Burns with the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Burns is a right-handed starting pitcher from Wake Forest.
Chase Burns Scouting Report
Height: 6′ 3″ | Weight: 210 lbs
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Position: RHP
Highest Ranking: 4th – Baseball America
When it comes to pure stuff, Chase Burns stands out above the crowd. After spending the first two years in college at Tennessee, Burns tranferred to Wake Forest as a junior and he took a big step forward. He posted a 2.70 ERA and went 10-1 during the season. In his 100.0 innings he gave up 62 hits, walked just 30 batters, and he struck out 191 batters.
His fastball is a plus offering that sits in the upper 90’s and has touched 101 MPH. The slider, though, may grade out even better. From an eyeball standpoint, it’s got late downward biting action to it. From an analytics standpoint it stands out for it’s high spin rate. Those are the two pitches that he tends to lean on, but he also has both a curveball and a change up that he will show at times and both could be average or better offerings.
There is some effort in his delivery. That does leave some questions about control and ultimately long-term health with him. But he’s also stayed healthy to this point in his career and he’s never had control issues, either.
Chase Burns Video
Chase Burns College Stats
Instant Reaction
This was a pick that felt like there was an outside chance of happening, but most felt the Reds would go with one of the hitters. Instead the team went with the top pitcher in the draft for third time since 2017 (Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and now Burns). It’s tough to take much issue when the consensus top pitcher in the draft is the selection.
Scouting Director Joe Katuska on Chase Burns
“It’s top of the rotation potential. It’s a fastball that runs up to 102. We think it’s the best slider we’ve seen in this draft class and even going back a couple. And it’s a 4-pitch mix. The curveball’s above-average to plus. The change up is above-average. Doesn’t have to use it that much at the college level but it’s going to be a weapon for him moving forward. He’s a really competitive kid, he’s athletic, big, strong – he fits everything we’re looking for in a starting pitcher.”
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