Reds surprisingly extend non-roster invite to Chase Burns, other top prospects

Spring training is closer than you think, and the Cincinnati Reds are readying to make the trip to Goodyear in less than a month. On Tuesday, the Reds released the names of several non-roster invitees who'll be joining the club in Arizona.

Among the names heading to spring training are Cam Collier, Sal Stewart, and last year's No. 2 overall draft pick Chase Burns. Many scouts believe that Burns has a chance to make his major league debut this season, but it's somewhat surprising to see his name mentioned among the other non-roster invitees having not pitched professionally at all last season.

Reds surprisingly extend non-roster invite to Chase Burns, Cam Collier, and other top prospects

Burns was the most dominant pitcher in college baseball last season, but the Reds decided to put his pro debut on hold until this year. Burns logged 100 innings pitched in 16 starts with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last season, and struck out 191 batters.

Collier and Stewart are less surprsing. Both players were selected during the 2022 MLB Draft and the infield duo is expected to begin the season at Double-A Chattanooga. Alongside Collier and Stewart will be fellow infield prospects Ivan Johnson and Edwin Arroyo. Outfielder Hector Rodriguez received a non-roster invite as well.

Will Banfield, Michael Trautwein, and the recently signed Austin Wynns will be hanging the signs in camp for the Reds pitching staff. In addition to Burns, Jose Acuńa, Zach Maxwell, Chase Petty, and Lenny Torres will be headed for Goodyear. Veterans Bryan Shaw and Alex Young will be part of the group as well.

None of Cincinnati's prospects are expected to make a serious run at the Reds Opening Day roster, but Wynns, Shaw, and Young will be all in the mix to steal a roster spot away if someone on the 40-man roster stumbles.

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