“Multiple Factors Played Into The Decision” | Cincinnati Reds No.2 Overall Pick Chase Burns Won’t See Mound Until 2025

The Cincinnati Reds have a bright future. With the likes of stud outfielder Elly De La Cruz, the arrival and subsequent breakout of Rece Hinds and of course future staff ace Hunter Greene, things look very promising on the banks of the Ohio River.

The team has had just one playoff appearance in the last ten seasons and one World Series appearance since 1990 (which they surprisingly upset the Oakland Athletics).

 

That influx of talent also includes this year’s top draft pick and No.2 overall pick Chase Burns, the unquestioned ace of the Wake Forest pitching staff finished his 2024 season as the ACC Pitcher of the Year.

He along with the aforementioned Greene are expected to form a 1-2 MLBbro punch in the rotation on par with any across the league.

That’s the exact reason why team brass is taking its time with Burns.

 

Burns Won’t See Mound In 2024

 

Instead of optioning Burns to join one of its minor league teams, he’ll instead stay in Glendale, Arizona at the team’s complex with a timeline of having him ready to pitch in instructional league games come the fall. It’s a similar plan the team used with 2023 first-round pick and starting pitcher Rhett Lowder, who also attended Wake Forest.

 

Reds player personnel director Jeremy Ferrell explained why the team decided to use this approach with Burns as well

 

“Multiple factors played into the decision. But given the time he had off at the end of the Wake Forest season and wanting to set him up for 2025, the plan will be for him to pitch competitively in instructional league and then go into a normal offseason routine to prepare for next year.”

Reds Taking It Slow With Chase Burns 

Smart move by the Reds with Burns not having pitched since June, this is an easy way to reacclimate him to competitive high level baseball.

 

Burns Was Lights Out At Wake

 

In his final season of collegiate baseball, the hard throwing 21-year-old was pretty dynamic. He finished with a gaudy (10-1) record, while boasting a nice 2.70 ERA. He also added 191 strikeouts (tops in college baseball) in 100 total innings pitched for the Demon Deacons in 2024.

 

The Reds thought so highly of Burns they paid him the highest bonus ever for a draft pick. The $9.25 million signing bonus surpasses the $9.2 milllon former LSU Tigers standout and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes signed in 2023 as the No.1 overall pick.