Imagine making your MLB debut as a starting pitcher. Imagine the best possible way that evening could start out. Reds rookie Chase Burns basically did exactly that.
Burns got his call up to the bigs after just 13 games in the minors, where put up a 1.77 ERA over 66 innings pitched, throwing 89 strikeouts along the way.
Burns had a tall order in his debut, facing off against the New York Yankees. The third batter he faced in the majors was maybe the greatest hitter we’ve seen in two decades.
He struck out the first two batters he faced, and then struck Aaron Judge out too.
Big league stuff @ChaseBurns20 pic.twitter.com/LUaJMK4FsU
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 24, 2025
Burns wasn’t done there. He would strike out the next two batters he faced in the second inning, and then after giving up his first hit, stuck out Anthony Volpe, making it two straight innings without relying on his defense for an out.
Chase Burns, 6th Strikeout in his 1st 2 innings. pic.twitter.com/zbCKeN9jkc
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 24, 2025
Per OptaStats, Burns became the only rookie in the past 50 years to strike out the first five batters he faced in his MLB debut.
Burns is only a few innings into his major league career, but he’s already shown he has some serious power in his arsenal, and the baseball world took notice.
Did Chase Burns just toss the greatest first inning of a Major League debut?
— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) June 24, 2025
Holy smokes. pic.twitter.com/bFxvcHW3OP
Chase Burns' fastball velocity in his first inning as a big leaguer: 98, 100, 99, 100, 100, 100, 99, 99, 99.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 24, 2025
Chase Burns' slider velocity in that same inning: 93, 90, 91, 92, 91.
He struck out Trent Grisham, Ben Rice and Aaron Judge, all swinging.
A future ace for the Reds.
Build the statue https://t.co/bZXTFXYQZ9
— Kyle Schenkel (@Schenkyle) June 24, 2025
The savior https://t.co/lZtKSKAh6c
— Taylor (@TReilly45) June 24, 2025
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) June 24, 2025
Only other pitcher to strike out at least his first 5+ in debut in that span:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 24, 2025
4/12/1962 Pete Richert, 6. In relief, vs the Reds
As Paul Skenes proved in his rookie season last year, if you have got the stuff, it doesn’t take long to establish yourself as an ace in the majors, and it looks very possible that Burns does indeed have the stuff.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Reds Rookie Chase Burns Accomplished Pitching Feat Not Seen in 50 Years in MLB Debut.
