GOODYEAR, Ariz. - As the Cincinnati Reds gear up for the new season, there's a palpable sense of excitement in the air, especially with young talents like Chase Burns making their mark. Reds manager Terry Francona, recalling his playing days, shared how facing veteran pitchers in spring training was often a hitter’s dream.
Those seasoned players, secure in their roster spots, would be working on their mechanics rather than focusing on results. "They’d throw that s-t over the plate and then you could whack it," Francona said with a chuckle.
But facing hungry young pitchers? That was a different story.
Enter Chase Burns, the Reds' promising right-hander who took the mound in Saturday’s Cactus League opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Burns showed his potential, navigating through some early jitters with three walks but no hits allowed, while striking out two, including the formidable José Ramírez.
“Good to get the first one out of the way,” Burns reflected after the Reds' 4-2 loss to Cleveland. “I was excited, a little nervous.
Had the jitters. But all in all, I feel good.”
Burns wasn’t the only one shaking off the rust. Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar, both returning after missing the entire 2025 season, were also eager to prove themselves.
Lowder, allowing just one run on one hit with four strikeouts over two innings, found his rhythm quickly. “Once the batter stood in, it was normal, same old,” he said.
Aguiar, on the other hand, took a bit longer to settle in. Recovering from a torn ACL in his right arm, Aguiar was thrilled to be back on the mound.
“Even now, I’m still shocked, still excited,” he shared after his 30-pitch outing. He allowed a run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts, but the key was getting back into the groove.
The competition for the fifth spot in the Reds' rotation is fierce, with Burns, Lowder, Aguiar, Brandon Williamson, and Chase Petty all in the mix behind established starters Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer. Francona emphasized the importance of building a routine.
“What will be even more important is they have their side day next, and then they answer the bell and they get into a routine. That will be really important.”
Despite the nerves and the pressure, Saturday was a promising start. Burns, who struck out Ramírez with a blistering 98-mph fastball, was particularly pleased with his performance. “To be able to work on that pitch and get a good hitter like (Steven Kwan) … I know it’s going to be good for me,” he said.
Lowder also faced Kwan and Ramírez, using a mix of pitches to keep them off balance. “I kind of threw the whole kitchen sink at him,” Lowder explained. “He’s tough in there.”
Aguiar, needing just eight pitches for his first inning, capped off his day with a strikeout against Cleveland’s Joe Lampe. “Today, I feel like I flushed the rehab side of it, flushed the injury side of it, and after today, the next outing is going to be to compete for that spot,” Aguiar stated confidently.
As these young pitchers continue to develop, the Reds are hopeful that this blend of talent and determination will pay dividends as the season progresses. The journey is just beginning, but if Saturday is any indication, there’s plenty to be optimistic about in Cincinnati.