Former Tennessee Vols baseball pitcher Chase Burns was chosen as the No. 2 overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday, receiving a substantial contract to begin his professional career.

Burns, who transferred from Tennessee to Wake Forest after the 2023 season, signed a historic deal featuring a $9.25 million signing bonus, as reported by MLB.com. This bonus sets a new record for the highest amount ever given in MLB history, surpassing the previous mark of $9.2 million held by Paul Skenes, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and 2024 MLB All-Star from LSU.

“Chase has the potential to be a front-line starting pitcher in the Major Leagues, and to do so quickly,” remarked Reds scouting director Joe Katuska in a team statement. “This is the profile we prioritize in the draft, and Chase excels in every aspect. We are impressed by the quality and depth of his pitching repertoire, as well as his competitive spirit. He has made remarkable progress since we first scouted him four years ago, and we expect him to continue on this upward trajectory.”

Known for his exceptional fastball and slider, graded at 65 and 70 respectively on the MLB Pipeline, Burns consistently reaches 100 mph with his fastball and maintained upper-90s velocity during his junior season in 2024.

During his lone season with Wake Forest, Burns posted a 2.70 ERA and recorded 191 strikeouts across 100 innings pitched. He achieved double-digit strikeouts in 12 out of his 16 starts.

The official announcement of Burns’ rookie contract with the Cincinnati Reds was made on Thursday through the team’s social media platforms. Alongside the record-setting signing bonus, the deal underscores the Reds’ commitment to securing Burns as a cornerstone of their future pitching rotation.

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