Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene has broken out in his first full big-league season.
The Cincinnati Reds starting rotation is starting to look a little depleted. Right-handed ace Hunter Greene has still not pitched this year as he continues recovering from right elbow surgery.
Cincinnati is also down two of its depth arms in Brandon Williamson and Rhett Lowder, both currently on the 15-day injured list. Left-hander Nick Lodolo also missed a month dealing with recurring blister issues. He did not make his season debut until May.
Cincinnati’s depth has been tested all year long. That is what has made Chase Burns’ emergence even more important. Now in his first full big-league season after debuting last June, his breakout has fully arrived in 2026.
Through his first 10 starts, Burns has collected 64 strikeouts in 59 innings of work. His most recent dominant outing came on Tuesday against the high-powered Phillies offense.
With the Reds entering the game looking to snap their losing streak, he delivered. Burns struck out nine Phillies hitters over six innings, allowing just three hits and one run with zero walks. It was one of his most complete outings of the season and lowered his ERA even further. He earned his sixth win of the year after collecting none in 2025. After the game, the Reds announced just how dominant Burns has been compared to other arms in the National League.
“Chase Burns lowers his ERA to 1.83, the second best in the National League 😮💨,” the Reds wrote on X.
Burns’ breakout is huge for the Reds as they wait to get healthier. Cincinnati will now have a chance to take the series on Wednesday with Andrew Abbott on the mound.
Burns was drafted second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest University, and he rose quickly through the system before reaching the majors last summer. Now he is fully breaking out. He features an electric fastball and a pitch mix that hitters still have not adjusted to, and he is only 23 years old.
If Burns continues to develop, he could easily establish himself as one of best young arms in MLB. Fortunately for the small-market Reds, he will be also be under team control for the foreseeable future.
With the Reds looking to make a second straight trip to the postseason in 2026, Burns could be a major reason why that remains possible despite Cincinnati’s disastrous month of May from both a record and injury standpoint.
