Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 60

Though Burns reached 100 mph with his fastball and drew some first-round interest as a Tennessee high schooler, he fell to the Padres in the 20th round of the 2021 Draft because he was set on pitching at Tennessee. He starred in the Volunteers' rotation as a freshman but logged a 6.10 ERA in eight starts in 2023, prompting a move to a long-relief role in which he thrived. He ranked third in NCAA Division I in strikeout rate (14.3 per nine innings) and helped Tennessee reach the College World Series, then opted to transfer to Wake Forest. He could be the first pitcher selected in a July following a spectacular junior season that has included Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year accolades and the D-I lead in strikeouts (191 in 100 innings).

Burns operates at 97-99 mph and reaches 102 with his heater, but it's fairly straight and batters get a good look at it coming out of his high arm slot, so it gets hit harder than it should at times. His tight slider is a true beast that sits in the upper 80s and has generated a 60 percent swing-and-miss rate during the last two seasons. He also owns a plus low-80s curveball.

Burns rarely uses his upper-80s changeup but it can be a plus pitch with significant fade when it's on. He has a history of throwing strikes and has improved his overall command this spring, though he's still going to need to locate his fastball with more precision at the next level. He has the ceiling of a frontline starter but comes with a bit of reliever risk.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Though Burns reached 100 mph with his fastball and drew some first-round interest as a Tennessee high schooler, he fell to the Padres in the 20th round of the 2021 Draft because he was set on pitching at Tennessee. He starred in the Volunteers' rotation as a freshman but logged a 6.10 ERA in eight starts in 2023, prompting a move to a long-relief role in which he thrived. He ranked third in NCAA Division I in strikeout rate (14.3 per nine innings) and helped Tennessee reach the College World Series, then opted to transfer to Wake Forest. He parlayed a spectacular junior season into being the No. 2 overall pick in the Draft, tying a record with fellow 2024 draftee Charlie Condon with his $9.25 million bonus.

Burns operates at 97-99 mph and reaches 102 with his heater, but it's fairly straight and batters get a good look at it coming out of his high arm slot, so it gets hit harder than it should at times. His tight slider is a true beast that sits in the upper 80s and has generated a 60 percent swing-and-miss rate during the last two seasons. He also owns a plus low-80s curveball.

Burns rarely uses his upper-80s changeup but it can be a plus pitch with significant fade when it's on. He has a history of throwing strikes and has improved his overall command this spring, though he's still going to need to locate his fastball with more precision at the next level. He has the ceiling of a frontline starter, even if there is a little bit of reliever risk.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Cutter: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Burns fits in the group of prep pitchers jockeying for position behind the consensus top arm, Jackson Jobe. He helped his cause by hitting 100 mph with his fastball, showed a pair of solid secondary pitches and demonstrated improved strike-throwing on the showcase circuit last summer. He has shown similar stuff this spring, giving him a chance to become the rare high school right-hander who sneaks into the first round. 

Burns pitches at 92-96 mph, regularly touches 98 and peaks in the triple digits with his fastball, which has outstanding induced vertical break and some natural cutting action. He uses both an upper-70s curveball and a mid-80s cutter/slider that both grade as solid offerings, with scouts split as to which is better. His upper-80s changeup lacks consistency and resembles more of a batting-practice fastball at times. 

Burns has a strong 6-foot-4 build but is more physical than athletic. The Tennessee recruit has a long arm action and some effort in his delivery, so he presents some reliever risk. He's trending up, however, and has the upside to pitch in the front half of a rotation. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	RHP Chase Burns assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/18/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed RHP Chase Burns.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Chase Burns.
	03/01/2024	RHP Chase Burns assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	02/03/2023	RHP Chase Burns assigned to Tennessee Volunteers.
	03/01/2022	RHP Chase Burns and assigned to Tennessee Volunteers.
	06/15/2020	RHP Chase Burns assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.
	06/15/2020	RHP Chase Burns assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.