While the NL Cy Young race remains competitive this season, Cincinnati Reds starter Chase Burns has defied the odds by emerging as a candidate. He leads all NL pitchers in bWAR (2.5) and has a fastball that consistently reaches 98 mph, which ranks in the 94th percentile.
He’s rebounded from his troublesome 2025 rookie campaign, where he sported a 4.57 ERA and suffered an elbow strain in late August. He’s entering his first full season looking to make a statement.
This season, he’s put his 2025 struggles behind him and has dominated in the rotation. He’s been impressive with a 6-1 record and a pristine 1.83 ERA across his first 10 starts.
He’s also recorded 64 punchouts and a 0.95 WHIP across 59 innings pitched, limiting opposing batters to a .183 batting average (fifth in MLB).