Former Reds Pitcher Makes Bold Suggestion About Chase Burns’ Usage

The Cincinnati Reds seem to have four guys locked into a rotation spot heading into the 2026 season, unless there is a trade or someone gets injured.

Those four starters are Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer. That would leave Rhett Lowder, Brandom Williamson, Julian Aguiar, and Chase Burns competing for the final rotation spot.

Former Reds pitcher Danny Graves suggested a unique way to use Burns to start out the season.

"If he could be healthy, that is just another great arm," Graves said on the Riverfront Territory Podcast. "I think the whole point of Chase Burns is, with all of these great starters ahead of him going deep into games, you tell him, 'we just need five innings out of you, Chase. Nothing else. Give us five and we will go to the bullpen.' I guarantee he will have instant success."

Burns was selected second overall by the Reds in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest University. After starting in High-A Dayton last season, Burns worked his way all the way up to the majors, appearing in 13 games and making five starts. The 22-year-old has a 4.57 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings, but that ERA is inflated a bit due to his second career start, where he gave up five earned runs and recorded just one out. It was suspected that Burns was tipping pitches in that game.

You can see the full clip below:

"I guarantee you he will have instant success."@dgravy32 believes there's a way to get the best from Chase Burns and also build him up to full-time starter. pic.twitter.com/tQevwYzZYZ
— Riverfront Territory (@RiverfrontPod) January 2, 2026