“Burns has been the one pitcher on the list I know I had circled.” For MLB’s Jonathan Mayo, back in February 2024, Chase Burns was a name that stood out as a top-5 Draft contender. He became the second overall pick. And now that name is all set to step up on the mound in the majors on Tuesday for the Cincinnati Reds. 

The 22-year-old once said he sees himself as a power right-hander like Jack Flaherty—and the radar backs it up. Chase Burns throws fastballs that are usually in the high 90s and even reach triple digits, 100 mph. Burns is a fire starter on the mound because he mixes speed and energy – very similar to Flaherty. And now he might not only get the chance to meet him, but ACTUALLY pitch against him in an MLB showdown. And his journey to the majors goes way beyond the draft pick.

Who is Chase Burns? Everything to know about him, his parents, early childhood, and more

Chase Burns was born in Naples, Italy, on January 16, 2003. Burns has a great work ethic and athletic DNA that runs deep. His parents, David and Trinetti Burns, were in the U.S. Navy. But they moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, where he and his older sister, Breanna, grew up. David, who used to play Division II college football, got Chase into baseball at a young age and spent a lot of time developing his basic skills.

He first played travel ball at the age of 10 with the De Soto Dodgers in Mississippi. After that, he played with Rawlings Southeast and the Canes. Burns started at Station Camp High but moved to Beech High for his final year.

Burns grew to be 6′4″ and 215 pounds during Station Camp. By the time he was a senior, his fastball was in the upper 90s, even reaching 99 mph. He also showed off a curve and slider in the same game. And it didn’t go unnoticed!

In 2021, the Padres chose him in the 20th round, but Burns chose to go to the University of Tennessee instead. And there, too, he left his impression. He was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year after going 8–2 with a 2.91 ERA and 103 strikeouts.

But it was not all ups; he also faced a slump. In his second year, he had a 6.10 ERA in eight starts, which sent Burns to the bullpen.

Then he gave an outstanding performance in the College World Series. Burns turned heads by striking out 22 in 16 postseason innings and pitching six shutout innings.

He was moved to Wake Forest during his junior year. There, he was unbeatable, with a 10–1 record, a 2.70 ERA, and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings, which earned him ACC Pitcher of the Year honors. And the Reds picked him second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. They gave him a record-setting $9.25 million bonus, even more than that of Paul Skenes.

Road to MLB: A look at his baseball journey so far

Chase Burns didn’t waste any time showing his talent. He started at High-A Dayton in 2025. Even though his ERA was only 3.09, he had amazing strikeout rates. Over half of the batters he faced in his maiden start went down swinging.

He then skipped over Double-A Chattanooga, where he had a 1.29 ERA, 11.79 K/9, and 10-K games, which were the most in his career. He was promoted only after 42 innings. And in Louisville, Triple-A, after two more outings, with a 2.19 ERA, seven scoreless innings, and seven strikeouts against the Yankees’ Triple-A team, Burns was ready!

His total line before the call? 1.77 ERA, 36.8% strikeout rate, and a 6.85 K/BB ratio throughout three levels of minor league baseball. Scouts give his fastball a 65 and his slider a 70, which is definitely good for MLB innings.

Because of injuries and problems with the Reds’ rotation—Wade Miley went on the IL on June 17, Hunter Greene is out, and Nick Martinez is having trouble—Cincinnati needed a boost. And Chase Burns was blazing through Triple-A.

It is now official that the game will commence on Tuesday against the Yankees at GABP. But here’s a twist.

Do you know which team is his favorite? “I guess I would say the Yankees because of their history and tradition,” shared Burns. And guess what! MLB gods gave him the best tale ever. His first game in the majors is against the Yankees, the team he grew up cheering for. What a way to start the first chapter!

We are excited to watch him on the mound. Are you?