Baseball players often take years to develop in the minor leagues, but Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Chase Burns is a special case. The 2024 No. 2 overall MLB Draft Pick will make the club's Opening Day roster after just 13 minor-league starts, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

Ditto for southpaw Brandon Williamson and right-hander Rhett Lowder, who haven't pitched in MLB since 2024. Williamson has 27 career big-league appearances, and Lowder has six.

Burns gave his thoughts on the Reds' decision to include all three players on the MLB roster to start the campaign, via Sheldon.

“It’s cool. It says a lot about the staff," the 23-year-old said. "There are a lot of good guys that it’s hard to pick from. Rhett said earlier that we’ll just feed off each other. It’s going to be good. I’m excited.”

The Reds are taking a calculated risk by starting the season with the trio on the pitching staff. Williamson didn't play in 2025 due to Tommy John surgery, and Lowder made just five minor-league appearances due to forearm and oblique injuries. Finally, Burns has no big-league experience outside of one spring training inning in 2024 and 12 this year. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has allowed seven runs across his 12 frames this spring. 

Regardless, Burns and Lowder are listed as Cincinnati's fourth and fifth starters, per ESPN. Manager Terry Francona explained the team's mindset on the situation, via Sheldon.

“And between those three to start the season – we’re not going to have a six-man rotation but we have six for five," he said. "Lowder didn’t pitch last year. Williamson hadn’t pitched in 15 months and Burns has 13 minor league starts. We’re trying to help those guys along and not sacrifice winning."

“You’ll see Willie either potentially come in after Burns or start a game and have Lowder," he continued. "I don’t think we feel the need to say it ahead of time as far as strategy goes, but that’s kind of where we’re sitting. You’ll see them pitch one of those two days.”

Although the aforementioned hurlers don't have much experience, they've shown signs of being capable pitchers. Lowder logged a 3.64 ERA over 22 minor-league starts in 2024 and is MLB Pipeline's No. 86-ranked prospect, while Williamson has a 3.86 ERA over 69 career minor-league outings (68 starts). Additionally, Burns sported a 1.77 ERA in the minors last season. 

The Reds also have veterans in the rotation, as ace Andrew Abbott was ninth in MLB with a 2.87 ERA last season, while fellow southpaw Nick Lodolo has 76 career big-league outings (75 starts). Meanwhile, right-hander Brady Singer has 159 career appearances (156 starts).

Mixing veterans with up-and-coming talent allows Cincinnati to be competitive in the NL Central this season while also evaluating its younger players. The latter task is essential for determining who it will keep around long-term. 

Up next for the Reds is a spring training matchup with the Chicago Cubs on Friday.