Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed that top prospect Chase Burns will be promoted before the club's upcoming series against the New York Yankees.
"It's kind of hard to come up with a reason why we shouldn't," Francona said Sunday, according to The Associated Press. "They tried to throw a lot at him. He just kind of handled everything."
Burns will start Tuesday's game for his MLB debut, sources told The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans.
"It's another game, but it is a major-league team," Francona added. "He's going to have a lot of firsts, but he's handled everything so far."
The Reds drafted the right-hander second overall in 2024 out of Wake Forest. He'll be the fifth player from Round 1 of last year's draft to appear in the majors.
MLB Pipeline ranks Burns as the No. 11 overall prospect in baseball. His arsenal features a high-90s fastball that can touch triple digits, along with a wipeout slider, a curveball, and a changeup.
The 22-year-old has posted a 1.77 ERA and a 0.773 WHIP in 66 innings pitched across three minor-league levels this season. He's racked up 89 strikeouts to just 13 walks.
