Reds predicted to add next Chase Burns to pitching rotation in franchise-lifting move

The Cincinnati Reds officially entered the Chase Burns era last week.

They could add the next Burns very shortly.

In the upcoming MLB Draft, the Reds have the No. 9 pick.

ESPN's new mock draft has the Reds taking Kyson Witherspoon, a right-hander from Oklahoma.

"The Reds pass on one of the good defensive shortstops -- not exactly a need at the moment -- and given their success in pitcher development, take Witherspoon on the heels of selecting Chase Burns last year. Witherspoon had 2.65 ERA for the Sooners with 124 K's in 95 innings, topping out at 99 mph with a deep arsenal of pitches," ESPN's David Schoenfield writes.

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Burns was the No. 2 pick in 2024 and is already in the major leagues.

If Witherspoon had a rise like that, it'd be exciting, for sure.

Even if his pace through the minors is more normal, he certainly has the talent to eventually be in Cincinnati's pitching rotation for a long time. And in a hitter-friendly park, locking in top pitchers can be a big deal.

A rotation five years from now led by Burns and Witherspoon, with Elly De La Cruz behind them at shortstop? Sounds perfect.

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