Chase Burns Bio
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 the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, establishing himself as one of the most electric arms in the country. Burns was selected by the Reds with the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2025. He became the first pitcher from that draft class to reach the major leagues.
Early Life and Background
Burns was born in Italy on January 16, 2003, where his parents were stationed with the United States military. After his family returned to the United States, he grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee. The international background of his early years gave him a unique upbringing before he settled into a traditional American childhood rooted in Tennessee’s strong baseball culture.
Burns initially attended Station Camp High School in Gallatin before transferring to Beech Senior High School prior to his senior year. As a teenager, his favorite player and team were Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees, a connection that later came full circle when he made his MLB debut against that very franchise. His father played college football for the North Greenville Trailblazers, giving the family a deep athletic tradition that supported Burns’ baseball ambitions.
Path to Baseball
Burns’ talent was recognized early when the San Diego Padres selected him in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB draft. Rather than sign, he honored his commitment to continue his development at the collegiate level, choosing college baseball over an early professional path. That decision set the stage for a meteoric rise through the college ranks.
Burns began his collegiate career as a freshman starter for the Tennessee Volunteers in their starting rotation. He finished that season with an 8-2 record, a 2.91 earned run average, and 103 strikeouts across 81⅓ innings, earning National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors. As a sophomore with the Volunteers, he transitioned into a relief role midseason and finished with a 5-3 record, two saves, a 4.25 ERA, and 114 strikeouts in 72 innings. He delivered one of his most memorable performances in the 2023 Men’s College World Series, throwing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a 6-4 win over Stanford.
After his sophomore campaign, Burns entered the NCAA transfer portal and joined the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. At Wake Forest, he set a school single-season record with 191 strikeouts and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year. That dominant showing at Wake Forest cemented his status as the top pitching prospect in the 2024 MLB draft.
Chase Burns Career
Early Career (2025)
Following the 2024 draft, Burns signed with the Cincinnati Reds on July 18 for $9.25 million, breaking the MLB signing bonus record set by Paul Skenes the year prior. He began his professional routine at the Reds’ spring training site in Goodyear, Arizona, before being assigned to the Arizona Instructional League. Burns made his professional debut with the Dayton Dragons on April 4, 2025, and quickly impressed evaluators with his velocity and strikeout ability.
After only three appearances in Single-A, Burns was promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts of Double-A. In eight appearances at that level, he added a changeup to his pitch mix, broadening his repertoire. He was soon elevated to the Louisville Bats of Triple-A for two starts, completing a remarkably fast climb through the Reds’ system.
MLB Breakthrough (2025–Present)
On June 24, 2025, the Reds promoted Burns to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut against the New York Yankees, striking out eight batters, including five consecutive batters to open the game. Burns became the first starting pitcher since at least the 1961 Expansion Era to strike out the first five batters of a debut outing. He allowed six hits and three earned runs while earning a no-decision in the loss.
His second outing against the Boston Red Sox was far more difficult, as he gave up seven runs and recorded only one out. Burns bounced back in his first appearance of the 2026 season on March 30, 2026, earning his first major league win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, walked three, and struck out seven, signaling a strong start to his sophomore year in the big leagues.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2025–Present)
Burns joined the Cincinnati Reds and quickly became a focal point of the team’s pitching staff. As of late June 2026, he had compiled a 9-4 record with a 2.86 earned run average and 169 strikeouts, establishing himself as one of the most promising young starters in the National League. He wears jersey number 26 for the Reds.
His development in Cincinnati has been closely watched given his top-of-the-draft pedigree. The Reds have paired Burns with a development plan that has emphasized refining his secondary pitches, particularly the changeup he added in Double-A. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and competitiveness has made him a cornerstone of the organization’s pitching future.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burns is best known for his electric fastball and his elite strikeout ability, both of which were on full display in his debut. His changeup, refined during his time in the minor leagues, has given hitters a second look and added a layer to his pitch mix. He has shown the ability to pile up strikeouts in bunches, including his record-setting five consecutive punchouts to open his first major league start. His competitive demeanor, modeled in part by his childhood favorite Derek Jeter, has earned him the confidence of the Reds’ staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burns’ MLB debut against the Yankees stands as his signature moment to date, both because of the opposing franchise and his historic opening sequence of strikeouts. He also owns the MLB draft signing bonus record at $9.25 million, surpassing the figure set by Paul Skenes. His school-record 191 strikeouts in a single season at Wake Forest remain a benchmark in Demon Deacons history. Burns is also recognized as the sixth Italian-born pitcher in Major League Baseball history.
Chase Burns Career Wins
Chase Burns’ first major league victory came on March 30, 2026, when he shut down the Pittsburgh Pirates across five scoreless innings. As of the most recent statistics, he has continued to build on that debut win while anchoring the middle of the Reds’ rotation.
MLB Highlights
Through June 21, 2026, Burns has produced a 9-4 record with a 2.86 ERA and 169 strikeouts in his major league career. His first MLB strikeout came in his debut against the Yankees, and his first win came in his 2026 Opening Day start against Pittsburgh. The combination of his debut performance and his early 2026 production has positioned him as a key piece of the Reds’ rotation.
Other Wins and Performances
During his standout 2024 season at Wake Forest, Burns set a school record with 191 strikeouts and was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year. At Tennessee, he posted an 8-2 record as a freshman and earned Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Chase Burns Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Burns was born in Italy while his parents were stationed there with the United States military, giving the family an international chapter before settling back in the United States. His father played college football for the North Greenville Trailblazers, embedding athletics at the core of the family’s identity. That background helped shape Burns’ competitive drive from an early age.
Personal Life
Burns grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee, where he developed his early love for baseball and became a devoted Derek Jeter fan. He has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children, focusing instead on his fast-rising professional career with the Cincinnati Reds.
2025 Season Performance
Burns’ 2025 season began in the minor leagues with the Dayton Dragons, where he debuted on April 4 before quickly climbing the ladder. He spent brief stints in Single-A, Double-A Chattanooga, and Triple-A Louisville, adding a changeup to his arsenal along the way. The Reds promoted him to the majors on June 24, and he responded with a historic debut against the Yankees that included eight strikeouts and five consecutive K’s to open the game.
His initial major league start was marred only briefly by a difficult second outing against the Red Sox. The performance, combined with his draft pedigree and signing bonus record, set high expectations for his continued growth. By the end of 2025, Burns had clearly established himself as a top-tier rookie starter with the Reds.
Burns opened 2026 on a strong note, picking up his first MLB win against Pittsburgh on March 30 with five scoreless innings. He is expected to remain a key member of the Cincinnati rotation as the Reds build around his elite strikeout ability and continued development of his secondary pitches.
