Chase Burns

Chase David Burns

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
• School University of Tennessee, Wake Forest University
• High School Beech High School

• Born January 16, 2003 in Napoli Italy

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Chase Burns was the second overall pick of the 2024 amateur draft, taken by the Cincinnati Reds out of Wake Forest University. He was the second player born outside the United States to be selected, as the first overall pick, Travis Bazzana, was born in Australia. In Chase's case, he was born in Italy but to American parents, his father being in the military, and had grown up in Gallatin, TN. He started his college career at the University of Tennessee, after having been selected by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round of the 2021 amateur draft coming out of high school; it was the draft's final round, and it reflected the fact that everyone expected him to go on to college. He played two years at Tennessee before transferring to Wake Forest for his senior season in 2024, when he went 10-1, 2.70 in 16 starts with 191 strikeouts in 100 innings. That improved his draft stock tremendously, as he had struggled as a sophomore with the Volunteers, getting him moved out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen. He pitched much better in long relief as Tennessee reached the 2023 College World Series. After his outstanding junior season with the Demon Deacons, he was clearly identified as the top pitcher in the 2024 draft, although his selection at such a high rank was a bit of a surprise, given that there were at least four hitters, including Bazzana, who were ranked ahead of him.

His best pitch is a fastball that has been timed at over 100 mph, and his slider is also considered to be elite.

Further Reading

• Jason Foster: "Get to know No. 2 Draft pick Chase Burns", mlb.com, July 14, 2024. [1]

Related Sites

• Wake Forest bio