The Cincinnati Reds selected Wake Forest RHP Chase Burns with their top pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the No. 2 overall selection. Burns, the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, is known as much for his fiery on-field persona as his dominating repertoire of pitches.

He can top triple digits on his fastball, while an elite slider and strong curve give batters much to think about in the box. Burns led all college pitchers in 2024 with 191 strikeouts in 100 innings. He fanned 10 or more hitters in 12 of his 16 starts, including six games of 14 or more strikeouts. His strikeouts are often accompanied by an explosion of swagger and emotion on the mound, especially in big spots, which his Wake Forest teammates say they love.

Reds Amateur Scouting Director Joe Katuska said, “Chase has the ability to be a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher at the Major League level, and do it quickly. It’s a profile that we always start with in the draft, and Chase checks all the boxes. We love the quality and depth of his pitch mix, and his competitiveness. He’s made great strides since we first saw him pitch 4 years ago, and see him continuing on that same trajectory.”