The Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect is on the Move

Burns' professional baseball career is off to an impressive start, so it makes sense that the Reds could fast-track him through the system as they did with Rhett Lowder last year. In his first start on April 4, he pitched four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk but struck out six.

He was hit with his first career loss on April 11. In 3.2 innings, Burns allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven. He gave up one run, however, and the High-A Dayton Dragons could not support him.

His most recent start saw Burns' first home run allowed in the first inning. Just as Hunter Greene did this weekend for the big league club, he allowed two home runs. However, after that first inning, Burns sat down 11 in a row. 

Now, clearly on another level compared to his competition, he's on his way to Double-A.

Lowder, who also went to Wake Forest but Burns came through last year, praised the second-overall pick earlier this year (also according to Charlie Goldsmith): “Chase is super gifted and super talented, so he deserves a lot of credit. Chase is mature as well, and he can handle anything.”

He finishes his time in Dayton with 20 strikeouts over 11.2 innings with a 3.09 ERA.

Burns' scouting report from MLB Pipeline leading up to his selection paints an elite picture:

"Burns operates at 97-99 mph and reaches 102 with his heater, but it's fairly straight and batters get a good look at it coming out of his high arm slot, so it gets hit harder than it should at times. His tight slider is a true beast that sits in the upper 80s and has generated a 60 percent swing-and-miss rate during the last two seasons. He also owns a plus low-80s curveball. Burns rarely uses his upper-80s changeup but it can be a plus pitch with significant fade when it's on. He has a history of throwing strikes and has improved his overall command this spring, though he's still going to need to locate his fastball with more precision at the next level. He has the ceiling of a frontline starter but comes with a bit of reliever risk."

The Reds have a special pitcher moving up the ranks. For reference, Lowder lasted five starts in High-A before his promotion.