Chase Burns

Chase Burns
Burns with Tennessee in 2023
Cincinnati Reds
Pitcher
Born: (2003-01-16) January 16, 2003 (age 21)
Naples, Italy
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Chase David Burns (born January 16, 2003) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He previously played college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers and Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Once hailed a top high school prospect, Burns was drafted 2nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Reds.

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]

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.[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. ^ "How Chase Burns became Tennessee baseball's bullpen superstar". Knoxville News Sentinel. June 18, 2023. 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. ^ 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.