Chase Burns Earns First All-Star Selection Amid Dominant Reds Season
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns has been officially named to the 2026 National League All-Star team, marking a meteoric rise from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft to one of baseball's elite arms in just over a year. The 23-year-old will join Reds rookie first baseman Sal Stewart in Philadelphia for the Midsummer Classic on July 14.
Burns has been nothing short of electric for a Reds team that has struggled to stay afloat in the standings. Through 17 starts, Burns owns a 10-1 record with a 2.40 ERA, a 185 ERA+, and a 30.5% strikeout rate that ranks fifth among qualified starters. According to Baseball Reference, his 4.0 bWAR trails only Cristopher Sánchez (5.7) and Jacob Misiorowski (4.5) among all pitchers in the sport.
"A lot of emotions," Burns said when asked about his All-Star selection, though his demeanor remained as composed as his pitching. "It's kind of scary. I'll get to face three really good guys, hopefully. Just try to get out of that inning and take in that moment."
Potential All-Star Game Starter
There is growing speculation that Burns could be chosen to start the All-Star Game for the National League. Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers' flamethrower who leads MLB in fWAR and fastball velocity, is lined up to pitch the Sunday before the game, which would make him ineligible. That leaves Burns, Chris Sale, and Cristopher Sánchez as the top candidates.
Sánchez may have the home-field advantage since the game is in Philadelphia, but his recent struggles — including a start where he allowed nine earned runs in 3.1 innings — could open the door for Burns. If Burns gets the nod, he would become the first former Tennessee Volunteers player ever to start an MLB All-Star Game.
Context: From College Transfer to MLB Ace
Burns' path to stardom has been anything but conventional. He spent his first two college seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Wake Forest after the 2023 season, a decision that sparked tension with Volunteers fans. Tennessee went on to win the 2024 national championship without him, but Burns went No. 2 overall in that year's draft.
"It was weird seeing them win it, but I'm thinking about the long-term goals," Burns said in 2025. "A national championship wouldn't have helped me develop and be the starter that I want to be."
His development has been rapid. After striking out the first five New York Yankees he faced in his MLB debut — including MVP winners Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt — Burns has never looked back. He relies almost exclusively on a devastating fastball/slider combination, a throwback approach in an era of diverse pitch arsenals.
Stepping Up in Greene's Absence
Burns' emergence was especially critical for the Reds after ace Hunter Greene underwent elbow surgery and missed the first half of the season. Greene returned on July 4 but was roughed up by the Baltimore Orioles in his first start. In his absence, Burns became the steady force the rotation desperately needed.
The Reds are 13-4 in Burns' starts this season, and he hasn't lost since early April. He has gone at least five innings in every outing. For a Reds team that has lost six straight games against the Milwaukee Brewers and sits seven games under .500, Burns has been the only consistent bright spot.
"He's honestly the best, and he's earned it," said teammate Sal Stewart, who will join Burns in Philadelphia. Stewart, 22, has 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases this season, giving the Reds a pair of exciting young All-Stars to build around.
Perspective: What Burns' Rise Means for Cincinnati and Beyond
Chase Burns is not just a feel-good story — he may be the most important piece of the Reds' future. With Greene back in the rotation, the team suddenly has a formidable 1-2 punch at the top. If Burns continues his trajectory, he could be a perennial Cy Young contender for the next decade.
His success also highlights a broader trend in baseball: the increasing value of elite velocity and a simplified approach. While many pitchers are adding five or six pitches to their repertoire, Burns thrives with just two. His fastball averages among the highest in the game, trailing only Misiorowski's otherworldly velocity.
"He's not too shabby," Stewart joked. The numbers back that up. Burns has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the league, and Cincinnati is getting a front-row seat.
For Tennessee fans, the reaction is more mixed. Burns' transfer still stings for a fan base that watched him dominate at Wake Forest and now in the majors. But whether they celebrate or not, a former Vol is on the verge of making history.
The Bigger Picture
Burns' All-Star selection comes at a time when the Reds are struggling to stay relevant. The team is on the brink of a lost season, and Brandon Jones Stuns Chase Elliott in Overtime Thriller at Chicagoland offers a different kind of excitement for Cincinnati sports fans. But with Burns and Stewart as cornerstones, the Reds have reason to believe better days are ahead.
If Burns eventually starts the All-Star Game, it will be a coronation — and a signal that the Reds' rebuild might finally be paying off.
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