Cincinnati Reds rookie Chase Burns became the first pitcher in franchise history with at least 10 strikeouts in two of his first 5 MLB appearances.
WASHINGTON – The impressive big-league, swing-and-miss moments keep coming for Cincinnati Reds rookie Chase Burns.
So do the big-league adjustments.
“It’s definitely a lot more than I thought,” said Burns, a consensus top-30 prospect in baseball who’s just five starts into his big-league career.
“I tell people all the time the jump from college to Double-A is big,” he said, “but I feel like from Triple-A to the big leagues, this is a whole new ballgame. But it’s been fun, and you’ve just got to be adaptable.”
The latest example came in a second straight 10-strikeout performance that devolved into a loss to the Washington Nationals because of a pair of two-out doubles in the fifth and a rough sixth.
Burns said some “fatigue” affected him near the end of the 98-pitch outing (his highest count so far). But he also became the first pitcher in Reds history with at last 10 strikeouts twice in his first five games.
What might stick most heading into his sixth start could be the trust manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Derek Johnson showed by letting him try to work out of the sixth-inning jam, after he loaded the bases, then got a comebacker for an out at the plate, followed by a strikeout.
“It gives me a lot of confidence that Tito and DJ have faith in me to go out there and keep the game close,” said Burns, who then gave up a two-run single (that turned into a three-run play with a throwing error).
“It didn’t happen tonight. But we’ll see what happens (next time).”
Even amid some growing pains, the growth arc has been impressive for the 100-mph pitcher who was drafted second overall barely a year ago and didn’t throw his first professional pitch until big-league spring training less than five months ago.
He has pitched at every level of the organization above rookie ball this season and since an eye-popping debut against the Yankees last month has continued to adjust – most notably making quick fixes after the Red Sox clobbered him in the first inning of his second MLB start at Fenway Park because he was tipping pitches.
He said he was “sort of” surprised by the Boston experience. “But then again, it is the big leagues. They’re going to use any advantage they can.”
Making fixes like that, feeling the power of the swings and misses he got the last two starts, and gaining the confidence he’s building are keys not only for what he might do in his career but also what the Reds might do this year.
As they near the two-thirds mark of the season (and July 31 trade deadline) hanging at the fringes of the National League wild-card race, the Reds are walking a fine line with their pitching depth.
Opening Day starter Hunter Greene has made just three starts since May 7 because of a groin strain and is expected to be sidelined at least 2-3 more weeks. And right-hander Carson Spiers, an important versatile part of the team’s depth, was expected back from a shoulder injury sometime next month until a setback over the weekend.
Burns had the talent and the success in the minors from Day 1 to suggest a debut this season.
But nobody expected the need for his competitive development would be needed this quickly for this much.
“It is a sense of responsibility that these guys have faith in me,” he said. “It makes me feel a lot better and adds a lot of confidence. I just try to go out there and put my best foot forward and try to put the team in the best position to win really.”
It’s certainly the right approach − and speaks to the poise that gave the team faith in his ability to handle the big-league promotion in the first place.
By Tuesday’s fifth start in Washington he got nine strikeouts on swings, using the fastball to set up 91-92-mph sliders and at least one changeup for the finishers.
The changeup has been a work in progress this season and effective on this night, despite the late fatigue.
“He’s still learning,” Francona said. “He did throw some changeups tonight. And as that develops, that’s when you’re gonna see him turn that lineup over the third time a lot easier.
“Right now everything’s pretty hard. So if he makes a mistake you got a chance to get hit better than maybe if you have to respect another speed.”
That’s where the quick learning curve is already starting to show some payoff.
How much more is coming and quickly?
Those could be especially important questions for the Reds down the stretch as they manage the weapon that is Chase Burns’ right arm − and a workload that’s maybe two or three starts from reaching last year’s career high of 100 innings (at Wake Forest).
For now, Burns is making gains as he tries to make his mark.
“I’m getting real comfortable, being around the guys, being in a major-league locker room,” he said. “And also out on the field. I feel like I’m getting settled in. I feel like I’m learning a lot. It’s been fun to see some growth.”
If the gains keep coming and the Reds manage the workload effectively, he could become an important key to what Francona’s team is trying to get done this season.
“That’s the goal,” Burns said. “That debut was awesome to have. And I had that rough spot in Boston. I just want to keep going from there. That’s all I can ask for.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Chase Burns might grow into key for Cincinnati Reds playoff drive?
Category: Baseball
