Reds' Chase Burns does this better than any starting pitcher in MLB

Chase Burns' name says it all.

The Cincinnati Reds' young right-handed pitcher has a fastball that burns through the air right into the catcher's glove.

Even beyond the heater, Burns has stuff that can border on being untouchable.

In his rookie season in 2025, he actually did one thing better than any other starting pitcher in baseball.

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He had the best strikeouts per nine ratio among starters at a ridiculous 14.94.

"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," MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan wrote in a new article. "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."

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It was quite a remarkable feat, too, when you think about Burns' timeline.

He was the No. 2 overall pick out of Wake Forest in 2024, but he didn't throw a pro pitch in his draft year as the Reds were careful with his brilliant right arm.

So then he ascended through the entire minor leagues in rapid fire fashion in 2025 to reach the majors and strike out everyone in sight.

Now, he'll come into the new season knowing what to expect and ready to build off of any shortcomings.

It could wind up being quite the special season for Burns and the Reds.

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