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Nothing excites baseball fans quite like a rookie debut brimming with promise—and when that rookie steps onto the mound for a playoff contender, excitement can skyrocket. Cincinnati Reds supporters experienced exactly that when pitcher Chase Burns made his electrifying Major League debut on Tuesday, sending collectors scrambling to snag his cards.

For those catching up: Burns had an impressive college career split between Tennessee and Wake Forest, capturing ACC Pitcher of the Year honors with the Demon Deacons. Cincinnati eagerly picked him second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, sealing the deal with a hefty $9.25 million bonus.

Anticipation quickly built as Burns ascended rapidly through Cincinnati’s minor league system. Starting 2025 with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, he earned swift promotions to Double-A Chattanooga after just three outings, and then moved up after just two starts with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

Facing the daunting New York Yankees in his MLB debut, Burns pitched a commendable five innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits. But it was his impressive control—eight strikeouts and zero walks—that really turned heads. Connor Phillips picked up the win in relief, sealing a tight 5-4 victory.

Burns didn’t just have a good start; he had a historic one. He promptly struck out the first five batters he faced, including marquee names like Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt—three of whom have MVP trophies sitting at home. After finally surrendering a single to Jazz Chisholm Jr., he bounced back to strike out Anthony Volpe.

This standout debut didn't just thrill fans—it also sent Burns’ trading card prices soaring. Collectors are now seeing premium listings, with a 2024 Bowman’s Best Top Prospects #TP-28 Chase Burns autograph card fetching around $175, and a 2024 Panini Kaboom Prospect Edition card commanding an impressive $300.

But for collectors still looking for bargains, some gems remain within reach—such as the appealing 2025 Bowman Chrome #BCP-122 Chase Burns Reptilian Refractor, available for under six bucks.