3 Reds prospects who will likely make their MLB debut in 2025

The Cincinnati Reds' farm system has been a mainstay in the upper half of Major League Baseball's top rankings. While the Reds have steadily built their foundation, Cincy is now in a position where they're ready to reap the benefits of the club's strong development system.

Though some question marks still remain, unlike many other clubs, the Reds are poised to answer them. With seven prospects projected to make their MLB debut in 2025, we’re spotlighting three who should be expected to reach the big leagues this season.

3 Reds prospects who will likely make their MLB debut in 2025

Chase Burns, Reds right-handed pitching prospect

The Reds’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft comes with a big-league-ready arsenal. A highly coveted pitcher, Burns garnered significant major league interest but chose not to enter the draft in 2021, opting instead to play college baseball for his home-state Tennessee Volunteers.

Burns possesses an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and touches 102 mph, complemented by a sharp slider that misses a ton of barrels, a big curveball, and a rarely used changeup that — if developed properly — could make him a dangerous weapon in the rotation.

The 22-year-old right-handed flamethrower should ascend quickly through the minors. Fans should expect to see Burns in the second half of the 2025 season, likely in August, where he could provide a spark at the back end of the rotation — or even in the bullpen if the Reds make a push for the postseason.

Tyler Callihan, Reds infield prospect

The Reds’ third-round pick in the 2019 dMLB Draft has taken a long journey through the club’s farm system. His path to the majors remains somewhat unclear, as even with Jonathan India traded to the Kansas City Royals, the keystone will still be occupied by Matt McLain to start the 2025 season. However, the Reds have made it clear that they have plans for Callihan, moving him to the 40-man roster at the end of 2024 to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

A left-handed hitter, Callihan has demonstrated strong baserunning instincts despite not possessing elite speed. He has an uncanny knack for stealing bases, decent pop when barreling up fastballs, and a strong arm.

Callihan's clearest path to the majors would be showcasing defensive versatility. If he can spell McLain at second base, De La Cruz at shortstop, or even slot in as a fourth or fifth outfield option, the Reds will likely give him a long look on the major-league roster. Barring injuries to the infield, Callihan’s timeline aligns with Chase Burns for a call-up after the All-Star break.

Chase Petty, Reds pitching prospect

Another one of the Reds’ elite, high-velocity arms — also named Chase — could be forcing their hand this season. Petty was drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins and was later traded to Cincinnati in the Sonny Gray deal.

Like Burns, Petty possesses a high-octane fastball that can top over 100 mph. However, his arsenal isn’t quite as dynamic, as he relies more on a power-heavy approach featuring a strong cutter and slider. While Petty's command remains a work in progress, his raw stuff is special, especially considering his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame.

Petty’s control issues will likely keep him out of the starting rotation for now. He has flashed some potential with strong spring training outings, but barring injuries, fans should expect Petty to debut out of the bullpen, if at all, in 2025.

With the Reds positioning themselves as contenders, Petty could be a September call-up, or if the bullpen struggles, he might join the ranks alongside another starter converting to reliever in Graham Ashcraft. The Reds have made it clear they like to fast-track arms with this kind of ability, so if Petty proves himself, he won’t be held back for long.

Honorable mentions

Other notable names, such as relief pitchers Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey, are also attempting to make a jump. However, it will be a challenge for the Reds to manage the development trajectories of all their top prospects. That being said, the three names above stand out as players who could be simply too good to be held down. It will be worth keeping an eye on their progress and how the organization decides to integrate them into their big-league plans.

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