It only took one bad outing for Chase Burns to stir early debate among Reds fans

The Cincinnati Reds didn’t have to wait long to see their top prospect, Chase Burns, take his first one on the chin in the big leagues. Just two starts into his MLB career, the 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick ran into a buzzsaw at Fenway Park.

The Boston Red Sox gave Burns a not-so-friendly “welcome to the show,” tagging him for five hits, seven runs (five earned), and a homer in just one-third of an inning. It was a humbling, forgettable outing — and the kind of blowup that, fair or not, opens the door for second-guessing.

For a fanbase already eager to grade last year’s draft, the outing didn’t just sting — it sparked a conversation around who the Reds didn’t take. In a class filled with explosive bats and high-ceiling athletes, Cincinnati went with the flamethrower out of Wake Forest.

Rough outing for Chase Burns ignites questions about Reds’ draft strategy

That meant passing on players like Jac Caglianone, who’s already made waves with the Kansas City Royals, and Charlie Condon, who’s earned his place on the national stage with a Futures Game nod. There's also A's slugger Nick Kurtz who's been crushing baseballs this season.

In many ways, the critiques were inevitable. Caglianone, taken sixth overall, skyrocketed through the minors thanks to his explosive power, launching towering home runs across every level he played. Meanwhile, Condon has been lighting up scouts and headlines alike. Burns, though incredibly talented, plays a position that’s notoriously volatile — and one rocky inning is sometimes all it takes to spark long-term doubts.

Of course, it’s worth noting how premature those doubts are. Burns has the stuff, the pedigree, and the mental makeup to bounce back from a rough outing. Young pitchers often face steep learning curves when making the leap, and one meltdown won’t define his career. Still, that won’t stop the what-ifs.

What if the Reds had gone for a bat? What if they’d targeted a player who could slot into a lineup that’s struggled for consistent offense? Caglianone, despite hitting just .151 through his first 93 big-league at-bats, is getting a long leash in Kansas City. It’s hard to imagine the Reds being that patient.

In the end, Cincinnati may have made the right call. Burns has already drawn comparisons to Paul Skenes, and his upside remains sky-high. But that doesn't mean the scrutiny will die down. The 2024 MLB Draft class will be under the microscope for years to come — and Chase Burns, for better or worse, will always be at the center of that conversation.

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