2024 MLB Draft Profiles: Chase Burns
Chase Burns is next on our 2024 MLB Draft profile list. The right-hander from Wake Forest is an absolute animal on the mound and will be one of the premier pitching prospects in this year’s draft.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 / Curveball: 60 / Slider: 70 / Changeup: 55 / Control: 50 / Overall: 60
The hard-throwing righty has been on scouts eyes for a long time. Originally pitching for Tennessee, Burns transferred to Wake Forest for the 2024 season. He recorded the best season of his career with Wake Forest, putting up a 12-1 record with a 2.70 ERA 0.92 WHIP, and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings.
Burns originally was a two-pitch pitcher. He added the curveball and changeup to his arsenal. His fastball averages between 97-99 mph and can easily reach 102. While it’s fast, it’s pretty flat, so it’s been easier for hitters to time it up.
However, his offspeed has produced more than enough swing and misses to make up for the fastball. His slider reaches the upper 80s and has led to a 60 percent swing-and-miss rate during the last two seasons. His curveball touches the lower 80s and his changeup hits the upper-80s as well.
Burns does well at throwing strikes and commanding the baseball, but it’s something to keep an eye on as he progresses through a major league system. There’s worry whether his stuff will continue to be overpowering to major league hitters, or if it’ll result in a higher walk rate.
Burns had the strikeout numbers at Tennessee, but he was also put in the bullpen for high-leverage situations. The ceiling remains a high-end starter, but he carries the risk of becoming a reliever.
Perhaps similar to what A’s pitcher Mason Miller is on, beginning as a hard-throwing starter but being moved to a late-inning weapon. Burns hasn’t had the injury history Miller has, and the strikeout numbers prove he’s more than capable of being an ace at the next level.
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