The Cincinnati Reds’ young pitching prospect Chase Burns made his MLB debut against the New York Yankees. Even though he gave up three earned runs over five innings, the 21-year-old righty still flashed electric stuff that has Reds fans and fantasy baseball managers buzzing.
Burns punched out eight hitters, unleashed a fiery fastball, and hinted at a deep arsenal. He could be a big part of Cincinnati’s rotation for a long time. Let’s look at what stood out in his debut and check in on a few other notable pitching performances around the league.
Chase Burns: What We Saw in His Debut
Burns’ first big league outing was a mix of brilliance and a few growing pains. He finished with 5.0 innings, 8 strikeouts, and 3 earned runs against a stacked Yankees lineup.
It wasn’t perfect, but you could see the blueprint for what’s coming. Reds fans have lots to be excited about with this fireballer.
Blazing Fastball with Room for Refinement
Burns’ fastball really jumps out. He sat at 98 mph, even touching triple digits early, but by the fifth inning, the pitch dropped to 94 mph as his adrenaline wore off. That’s pretty normal for a debut.
Scouts think he’ll settle around 97 mph long-term, which is still a ton of arm strength. He already does a nice job commanding the heater up in the zone, but it’s not quite a top-tier swing-and-miss pitch yet. That means his off-speed stuff matters even more.
Dynamic Secondary Pitches
Burns paired the fastball with a sharp slider that really popped. This breaking ball will be key, since hitters will start hunting his velocity and wait for something slower to attack.
He also tossed in a promising changeup against lefties, hinting at a true three-pitch mix. Burns tried a curveball too, but it needs a lot more work before he can trust it in big spots.
Command Beyond His Years
One thing that stood out: Burns already shows advanced command. A lot of young flamethrowers just try to overpower hitters, but Burns can actually locate and attack the strike zone.
This should help him pitch deeper into games as he settles into the big leagues. The Reds tend to let their starters go longer, so Burns might see a solid workload, boosting his fantasy upside.
Fantasy Comparisons and Long-Term Outlook
Fantasy folks are already comparing Chase Burns to Jacob Misiorowski. Burns doesn’t have quite the same wild bat-missing upside, but he’s more efficient and should rack up more innings, which might make him a safer play in 2023.
If he keeps developing, Burns has the tools to be a well-rounded, high-floor pitcher for both the Reds and fantasy managers. There’s a lot to like, even if he’s not a finished product yet.
Other Standout Pitching Performances
Burns wasn’t the only pitcher making noise. A few veterans and some under-the-radar guys also showed off their stuff, with some interesting fantasy angles.
Carlos Rodón’s Efficient Outing
Carlos Rodón looked like his old self, delivering a sharp and efficient performance. If he stays healthy, that’s huge for managers who stuck with him.
Frankie Montas and Increased Velocity
Frankie Montas showed off some extra velocity in his return. It’s early, but seeing him throw harder is a good sign for anyone hoping he bounces back.
Risks with Quantrill and Severino
Cal Quantrill and Luis Severino had a rough time. Both struggled with command and couldn’t get their secondary pitches working.
For now, they look like risky fantasy options. It’s tough to trust them until they show more consistency.
Rotation Battles and Logjam Concerns
The Reds aren’t the only team with interesting pitching situations. Over in Texas, Cody Bradford and Grant Latz both turned in strong performances.
They’re battling for starts, though, and rotation spots are scarce. It’s worth watching how these rotations settle, since there could be hidden value for managers who pay attention.
As the MLB season rolls on, debuts like Chase Burns’ offer real insight for fans and fantasy players alike. He’s got an electric fastball, a promising slider, and, honestly, he looks more composed than most rookies.
Veterans and fringe starters around the league keep things unpredictable for anyone trying to patch together a fantasy rotation. Whether you’re a Reds fan or just love tracking up-and-comers, now’s a good time to pay attention to baseball’s emerging arms.
Here is the source article for this story: Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 6/24: Where The Reds Burns Grows
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