3 players who could be affected by the Reds drafting Chase Burns

The Cincinnati Reds selected Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns with the No. 2-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. While some throughout Reds Country have bemoaned the pick, Burns was easily the best college pitcher in this year's draft.

Burns may not make it to the big leagues as quickly as All-Star starter Paul Skenes, but much like Cincinnati's first-round pick from a year ago (Rhett Lowder), the right-hander could be fast-tracked to the big leagues rather quickly.

With that in mind, Burns' presence is likely to cause a ripple effect, and some players and prospects could face some stiff competition from Cincinnati's first-round pick in the coming months and years. Which three Reds players are most likely to be affected by Burns now being part of the organization?

Drafting Chase Burns could push Graham Ashcraft further down the Reds depth chart

After being demoted once — and almost twice — this season, Graham Ashcraft's future in the Reds starting rotation was already in question. The right-hander's struggles were a concern before Cincinnati drafted Burns, with several fans now viewing Ashcraft as a reliever.

Those cries will only become louder with Burns added to the Reds farm system. If Burns shows the same type of dominance in the minor leagues that he did during his college career, it won't be long before the Wake Forest product is knocking on the big league door.

Carson Spiers, Brandon Williamson, and Chase Petty were already threatening to push Ashcraft into a relief role, and the Reds' selection of Burns makes it all but a guarantee heading into next season.

Reds prospect Connor Phillips could be leapfrogged by Chase Burns

The Reds had high hopes for Connor Phillips heading into the 2024 season, but the right-hander has done little to help Cincinnati feel secure in their belief that he's ready for the big leagues. A former top 100 prospect, Phillips' 10.11 ERA at Triple-A this season forced Cincinnati's hand, and he's since been assigned to the team's complex in Arizona.

Phillips, much like Ashcraft, is looking more and more like a relief option over the long haul. But where Ashcraft struggles getting through the lineup more than twice, Phillips struggles to keep free runners off the base paths. Phillips' unsustainable 16.9% walk rate won't see him sniff the major leagues anytime soon.

Phillips is (hopefully) going through a reset down Goodyear and will return to the Louisville Bats rotation for the second-half of the season. But Burns has his eye on an eventual spot in the Cincinnati rotation, and Phillips could be struggling just to maintain his spot on the roster.

Chase Burns could supplant injured starter Brandon Williamson in the Reds rotation

Brandon Williamson was ticketed for the Reds rotation this season, and he been healthy, likely would have supplanted Nick Martinez once the right-hander showed that he wasn't cut out to a long-term starter. Unfortunately, Williamson suffered a shoulder injury, and may miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Those lack of reps will hurt his standing among an already crowded group of starters. Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott have all but secured their spot in the 2025 starting rotation and beyond. Williamson's absence will allow the likes of Lowder, Petty, Spiers, and Julian Aguiar to gain the upper hand while the lefty is on the IL.

Burns will soon join that group as well, and Williamson's inability to stay healthy this season could put increased pressure on the southpaw to perform exceedingly well next spring just to make the Opening Day roster. Almost any minor league pitcher has now been put on notice. The Reds didn't draft an advanced arm like Burns' to sit and toil down on the farm — he'll be in The Show before you know it.

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