Cincinnati’s Future Arrives: Top Prospect Chase Burns Promoted to Triple-A—Big League Debut Looms This Summer

The Cincinnati Reds just took a major step toward ushering in the next generation of their pitching staff. On Sunday, the organization announced the promotion of right-handed fireballer Chase Burns—arguably their most exciting pitching prospect—to Triple-A Louisville. For fans eagerly anticipating the next wave of talent, this move signals a clear message: the future is closer than ever, and it might arrive before summer ends.

Burns, a first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, has been nothing short of electric in his first professional season. After starting the year at Double-A Chattanooga, he dominated hitters with a fierce arsenal, highlighted by a fastball that touches 100 mph and a devastating slider. His statistics back up the hype—through 11 starts, Burns posted a 1.95 ERA, struck out 89 batters in just 60 innings, and held opponents to a .173 batting average. Simply put, he looked too good for the level.

It didn’t take long for Reds brass to recognize that Burns was ready for a greater challenge. Player development staff have raved about not just his raw tools, but his maturity and commitment to improving each outing. According to pitching coordinator Bryan Conger, “Chase doesn’t just have big-league stuff—he’s got a big-league mindset. He studies hitters like a veteran and holds himself accountable in a way that’s rare for a 21-year-old.”

Burns’ rise has been swift but calculated. After transferring from Tennessee to Wake Forest for his junior year of college, he became one of the most highly scouted arms in the nation. Cincinnati wasted no time selecting him early in the draft and have since charted a path that could land him at Great American Ball Park sooner rather than later.

Burns brings a rare mix of velocity, movement, and competitive fire. His fastball sits at 97–99 mph but consistently touches triple digits, often overpowering hitters at the top of the strike zone. His slider, considered by some scouts to be among the best in the minors, sweeps across the plate with late bite and has become his go-to weapon with two strikes. More recently, he’s refined a changeup that gives him a third pitch to neutralize left-handed batters.

This type of repertoire has become increasingly rare among young pitchers, especially those with command. Burns not only possesses frontline tools—he commands the zone and rarely issues walks. That level of polish, combined with his intimidating mound presence, has many comparing him to frontline MLB starters like Spencer Strider or Hunter Greene, another Reds fireballer.

Cincinnati’s front office has made it clear they want to build around a core of young, controllable arms. With Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and now Burns in the system, the organization believes it’s constructing a pitching staff that can compete in October for years to come.

Promoting Burns now also aligns with Cincinnati’s playoff ambitions. Sitting on the fringe of National League Wild Card contention, the Reds are looking for any edge they can get as the summer months heat up. If Burns can continue to dominate in Louisville, there’s every chance he could be called upon to boost the big league rotation during the stretch run—perhaps even as early as July or August.

Manager David Bell was careful not to put a firm timeline on Burns’ MLB arrival but acknowledged the buzz. “We’re all excited about what Chase brings to the organization,” Bell said. “He’s made an incredible impression already, and if he keeps doing what he’s been doing, it won’t be long before he’s pitching under the bright lights here in Cincinnati.”

The Reds have been cautious in how they bring up their top talent, but recent years have shown a willingness to move quickly when a player proves he’s ready. Just last season, Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand were promoted mid-year and immediately impacted the lineup. Burns could very well follow that trajectory—just on the mound instead of the batter’s box.

Cincinnati’s farm system has quietly evolved into one of the more exciting pipelines in baseball. With elite prospects now knocking on the door, the team is no longer just building for the future—it’s on the cusp of a new era. Burns represents more than just another arm; he embodies the Reds’ renewed philosophy: draft and develop elite talent, then let it shine on the biggest stage.