The Cincinnati Reds signed this year’s No. 2 overall pick Chase Burns and gave him a reported $9.25 million signing bonus on Thursday night, surpassing the mark set last year by fellow right-hander Paul Skenes, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cincinnati announced Burns’ signing but didn’t release terms. Multiple outlets reported the signing bonus that exceeded Skenes’ $9.2 million.
Burns, 21, was a star pitcher at Wake Forest, going 10-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings this past college season. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.
Burns is slated to report to Goodyear, Ariz., on Sunday to get his professional career going. It hasn’t been determined when he will pitch or to what level he will be assigned.
“We’ll get him on the field Monday,” Reds amateur scouting director Joe Katuska told MLB.com. “The biggest thing is first is just figuring out where he is in the throwing progression. He still has some innings to throw, but it’s been a little bit since he was on the mound in a game situation. We’re going to protect the long-term interest and what the projection is for.”
Burns spent two seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Wake Forest for the 2024 season.
Second baseman Travis Bazzana was the No. 1 overall selection by the Cleveland Guardians. He has yet to sign.
Skenes quickly rose through minors and has dominated major league hitters since being recalled just over two months ago. He was the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.