Chase Burns is putting the Reds in an impossible spot

The Cincinnati Reds may not have expected to be here this soon — but here they are. Top pitching prospect Chase Burns is off to a dominant start in his first professional season, and he’s making it extremely difficult for the Reds to justify keeping him in the minors for much longer.

At just 22 years old, the 2024 second-overall pick is already commanding comparisons to Paul Skenes, whose own rapid rise forced the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hand just a year ago. Now, the Reds face a similar dilemma. How long can they keep Burns down before his dominance leaves them no choice but to bring him up?

Burns has been nothing short of outstanding. After breezing through High-A Dayton with a 3.09 ERA and 20 strikeouts in just 11 2/3 innings, the right-hander has gone full throttle at Double-A Chattanooga.

Chase Burns’ surge through the minors could shake up the Reds’ strategy

Over five starts, he’s posted a 1.88 ERA with 35 punchouts in 24 innings, mowing through hitters like they’re still in college. His combined 2025 stat line across both levels tells the story:

• Games: 8
• Innings Pitched: 35 2/3
• ERA: 2.27
• WHIP: 0.87
• Strikeouts: 55
• K/9: 14.14
• K/BB: 5.5

It’s not just the wild strikeout numbers or the sparkling ERA. Burns is missing bats with ease, commanding his upper-90s fastball and devastating slider with a maturity beyond his years. Opponents are hitting just .184 against him. This is undoubtedly a future ace dismantling everything in his path.

So, what’s the hold-up? The Reds are stuck between two difficult truths. On one hand, fast-tracking a young pitcher comes with risk — especially with someone just months removed from college ball. On the other, delaying his arrival becomes harder to justify each time he takes the mound and proves he’s ready for more. The rotation in Cincinnati has had its moments, but it hasn’t been consistent enough to ignore what Burns could offer right now.

Burns is putting the front office in an increasingly uncomfortable position, the same one Pittsburgh faced last summer with Skenes. The Reds can’t just look at developmental timelines anymore — they have to consider what’s best for the big-league club today. If they’re serious about competing in the NL Central this season, ignoring one of the most dominant arms in the minors becomes a tougher sell with each passing start. Eventually, the numbers will force their hand.

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