Reds give 2024 MLB Draft an early surprise by selecting Chase Burns No. 2 overall

The Cincinnati Reds were afforded the golden opportunity to pick second in this year’s draft, and that pick that could resonate throughout the organization for years to come. With the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Reds selected Wake Forest’s flamethrowing RHP Chase Burns.

Most of the conventional wisdom coming into the draft was that the Reds were heavy favorites to select Charlie Condon with the No. 2 pick. However, the draft unfolded in such a way where Cincinnati felt that Burns was their best value, and also addressed the team's need for a quick-moving pitching prospect that happens to come from the same school where their top overall prospect, Rhett Lowder, played college ball.

Here is what fans can expect from Burns now that he is the newest Cincinnati Red.

Reds News: Cincinnati selects Wake Forest RHP Chase Burns second overall in 2024 MLB Draft

While many had Arkansas' Hagen Smith as the best pitcher in this year's draft class to start the spring, Burns was still on scouts' radars especially after he transferred to Wake Forest from Tennessee. After joining Wake's program, Burns' high octane fastball, along with what may be the best slider in the entire draft class, quickly sent him shooting up draft boards. His curve is also a plus pitch that provides a nice change of pace from his power stuff, and while he hasn't thrown a changeup very much, it has shown promise as well.

Given Burns' tantalizing mix of power pitches, as well as his performance in college, it is hardly surprising that teams, as well as draft experts, now consider him to be one of the two best arms in the entire draft. Here is where he ranked on draft prospect rankings before the draft.

Chase Burn's Pre-Draft Rankings

Baseball America - 4
ESPN - 5
MLB Pipeline - 6

It will be interesting to sign how the Reds' entire draft class plays out now that they have picked Burns. This is a little bit higher that Burns was projected to go, and if the Reds were able to save a bit of money with the pick, they could make some real waves with overslot signings the rest of the way. However, the Reds passing up on the big bats in this year's draft class could also bite the team in a big way, especially with the big league offense not exactly being the most consistent bunch this year.

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