The excitement at Bristol Speedway Classic was palpable. Over 85,000 spectators, a record for a regular season, filled NASCAR’s concrete palace. It was the MLB Speedway Classic on August 2, 2025. Pre-game performances by Tim McGraw and Pitbull set the stage ablaze. However, like clockwork, a Tennessee storm rolled in. And who was going to pay for that? Of course, the pitchers. It would soon land the Reds’ dugout in an uncomfortable conversation. And that conversation went public.

Reds manager Terry Francona spoke with candid concern to the Fox crew. “The unfortunate thing is (Burns) got loose,” he said. Well, he meant his 22-year-old young talent, Chase Burns, had fully warmed up previously and then cooled off. Warming up again after cooling off might have increased the risk of injury. “This is our young kid,” he continued, “We’ll figure something out.”

Well, Chase Burns isn’t just another rookie arm; he is the Cincinnati Reds’ future. His journey to the big leagues has been nothing short of a whirlwind. The Reds, who drafted him second overall in the 2024 draft, have shown an incredible amount of faith in him. After dominating the minor leagues with a combined 1.77 ERA and 12.14 strikeouts per nine innings across three different levels, Burns was called up in late June 2025. His debut was against the New York Yankees, where he struck out the first five batters he faced—a feat not seen against the Yankees in over 50 years.

While his 0-3 record with a 6.26 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP over six starts in the majors might not look great on the surface, the advanced stats tell a much more encouraging story. His fielding independent pitching (FIP) is 3.01, which suggests he’s been the victim of some bad luck, particularly with a high .400 batting average on balls in play (BABIP). Burns has racked up 45 strikeouts in just 27.1 innings, and he’s also been showing great control, with a 3.01 FIP, while keeping his walk rate at a reasonable 9.5%.

General Manager Brad Meador was understandably optimistic after his call-up last month. “We feel like now is the right time for him and for us. We feel like he’s ready, and we have a spot open. He gives us the best chance,” he said. No wonder Francona didn’t want to risk an injury, especially with the Reds being in the mix for a National League Wild Card.

Cincinnati Reds: A Team on the Brink of October

In a tight race, losing Burns could be the fatal shot to the Reds’ playoff dreams. The Reds’ pitching staff is already in a precarious position.  The promotion of Burns last month was a move born out of necessity. The team’s undisputed ace, Hunter Greene, is on the injured list. And the vital young arms like Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers, Julian Aguiar, and Brandon Williamson are all done for the year. So, the organizational depth is scuttled.

The front office, however, picked up veteran starting pitcher Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline, who has been reliable with an 8-8 record and a 3.58 ERA. His arrival provides the team with immediate stability and, more importantly, it gives Francona flexibility. It allows the team to move Nick Martinez into a versatile swingman role and improves the bullpen while also bolstering the rotation.

But still, Burns remains a vital cog moving forward.