What pitches does Chase Burns throw? Wake Forest star's pitching skills explored

Chase Burns is one of the biggest prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft, and the Wake Forest pitcher is famous for his top-notch pitching skills. Burns has been a menace to collegiate hitters for a while, and they will no doubt be happy to see him leave the college stage at the end of the ongoing college baseball season.

Burns is highly regarded for his versatility as a pitcher. Here, we explore his pitching skills and analyze his go-to throws.

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What pitches does Chase Burns throw?

According to MLB.com, Chase Burns boasts a triple-digit fastball and an elite slider. Both pitches should translate well from the collegiate level to the MLB level.

Burns' raw talent has never been questioned, but speculations about his MLB potential affected his draft stock heading into the current college baseball season. Thankfully, Burns heard the chatter and made the much-needed changes to his mechanics to solidify his draft stock.

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Chase Burns MLB Draft projection

Chase Burns was drafted as a high schooler in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. It's rumored that he would have gone much higher in the Draft had he committed to playing in the MLB rather than featuring for the Tennessee Volunteers.

That was then, and ahead of the 2024 MLB Draft, many scouts believe Burns will be the first pitcher selected. His improved skillset is too tough to ignore, and he's projected to be selected as the fifth overall pick by MLB.com.

Burns pitches at 97-99 mph, and his heater is reputed to reach 102, but it's known to be fairly straight. Hence, professional-caliber players could get a decent look at it coming out of his high arm slot.

Despite those concerns, Burns' tight slider is a true threat. Nestled in the upper 80s, it has generated a 60% swing-and-miss rate during the last two collegiate seasons. Burns also possesses a plus low-80s curveball.

The Wake Forest star hardly uses his upper-80s changeup, but when he does, it could be a plus pitch with a notable fade when it's on. Scouts view Burns as having the ceiling of a frontline starter with a hint of reliever risk.