Reds' Chase Burns Dominates with Strikeouts in MLB Debut

The young right-hander posted the highest strikeouts per nine ratio among starting pitchers in 2025.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chase Burns, the Cincinnati Reds' second overall draft pick in 2024, made a remarkable MLB debut in 2025 despite an uneven rookie season interrupted by injury. The young right-hander posted a ridiculous 14.94 strikeouts per nine innings, the highest rate among starting pitchers who made multiple starts.

Why it matters

Burns' dominant strikeout numbers in his debut season suggest he has the potential to become one of the game's most electric young pitchers, giving the Reds a formidable duo atop their rotation alongside fellow flamethrower Hunter Greene.

The details

Debuting less than a year after being drafted, Burns endured an uneven rookie campaign that included a 5.24 ERA over eight starts. However, the righty showed flashes of his potential, posting double-digit strikeouts in four of those outings en route to his league-leading 14.94 K/9 rate.

  • Burns was the Reds' second overall draft pick in 2024.
  • He made his MLB debut in 2025, less than a year after being drafted.

The players

Chase Burns

A young right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who posted the highest strikeouts per nine ratio among starting pitchers in his MLB debut season in 2025.

Hunter Greene

A fellow flamethrower in the Reds' rotation who could form a dynamic duo with Chase Burns at the top of the Cincinnati pitching staff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Debuting less than a year after the Reds took him second overall in the MLB Draft, Burns endured an uneven rookie year that was interrupted by a flexor strain and included a 5.24 ERA over eight starts. Still, the righty showed flashes of the potential that made him such a highly touted prospect, posting double-digit K's in four of those outings en route to a ridiculous 14.94 K/9 -- the highest among pitchers who made multiple starts. Injuries are a lingering concern for both, but Burns and fellow flamethrower Hunter Greene could give the Reds one of the game's most electric rotation duos in 2026.”

— Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com Writer

What’s next

Burns will look to build on his impressive debut season and stay healthy in 2026, as he and Hunter Greene could form a dominant 1-2 punch atop the Reds' rotation.

The takeaway

Chase Burns' remarkable strikeout numbers in his MLB debut suggest he has the potential to become an elite young pitcher, giving the Cincinnati Reds a formidable duo at the top of their rotation alongside fellow flamethrower Hunter Greene.