The first pitcher since 1961 to strike out five openers in a debut
In short: Chase Burns didn't just enter the Major Leagues; he dominated them from the very first pitch. In his MLB debut, he struck out three consecutive MVPs to set a record that had eluded pitchers for over sixty years.
Born in Naples, Italy, while his parents served in the U.S. Navy, Chase Burns developed a work ethic rooted in military discipline before moving back to Tennessee. His path to professional baseball was non-linear; he was initially drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2021 but opted not to sign. His skills improved during his university years, beginning as a prominent starter for Tennessee's Volunteers before moving to Wake Forest, where he achieved a record of 191 strikeouts within one year.
During the 2024 MLB draft, Burns was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds via the second overall selection. His signing on July 18, 2024, for $9.25 million broke the previous MLB signing bonus record. He moved rapidly through the minor league system in 2025, refining his pitch mix—including a key changeup added at the Double-A level—before receiving his first promotion to the big leagues on June 24, 2025.
Burns made history during his debut against the New York Yankees. He struck out eight batters total, including an unprecedented sequence of five consecutive strikeouts to open the game. This feat included retiring three MVPs in a row: Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt. As the first Italian-born pitcher in MLB since 2024, Burns quickly solidified his status as a cornerstone for Cincinnati, signing a seven-year, $105 million extension in 2026 after being named an All-Star that same year.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Chase Burns
- Also: Wikidata — Chase Burns · CC0
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