The Cincinnati Reds have finalized a draft-record $9.25-million signing bonus with Chase Burns, the second overall pick in the MLB Draft, as reported by Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Burns, who officially turned professional on Thursday by signing his contract with the Reds, secured a bonus $50,000 higher than the previous record of $9.2 million set last year by Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. It also surpasses the $9 million given to Dylan Crews, the second overall pick by the Washington Nationals in 2023.
The bonus agreed upon is below the No. 2 pick’s slot value of $9,785,000.
Born in Naples, Italy, Burns was regarded as the top right-handed pitcher in this year’s draft. The 21-year-old had an impressive junior year at Wake Forest after transferring from Tennessee, finishing with a 10-1 record, a 2.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 191 strikeouts (17.2 K/9) across 16 starts.
With his deal now completed, Burns will head to the Reds’ spring training facility in Arizona and is set to begin his professional career next week.
Scouting director Joe Katuska noted, “The biggest thing first is figuring out where he is in a throwing progression,” according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He still has some innings to throw (this year). 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 and what the projection is for him.”
The Reds have selected a pitcher with their top draft pick for the second consecutive year, having chosen Rhett Lowder seventh overall in 2023. The last time the team picked second overall was in 2017, when they selected 2024 All-Star Hunter Greene.
