MLB-UPDATE: According to ESPN and other reports this morning, the Cincinnati Reds have formally confirmed the signing of power Right-hander bullpen reliever  Bolster Lineup to a $195.7 million contract.

Reds sign No. 2 pick Chase Burns to draft-record $9.25M bonus

Right-hander Chase Burns has broken Paul Skenes’ draft bonus record, landing a $9.25 million signing bonus from the Cincinnati Reds, a source told ESPN.

Burns, a Wake Forest product, was the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft on Sunday night. He is the only first-round pick to officially sign thus far.

No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana ( Cleveland Guardians/Oregon State) and third pick Charlie Condon ( Colorado Rockies/Georgia) were universally seen as the top two players in the draft, so either or both of them could best Burns’ bonus before the Aug. 1 signing deadline.

MLB.com was first to report Burns’ signing Thursday.

Skenes signed for a $9.2 million bonus with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being selected first in the 2023 MLB draft. He started Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, the first pitcher to do that the year after being drafted.

Burns pitched the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Tennessee, then transferred to Wake Forest for his last year of college baseball. He ranked fifth in ESPN’s final draft rankings, projecting to land 44th on a minor league Top 100 prospects list once he turned pro.

Burns was the consensus best pitcher in the draft due to his 96-100 mph fastball and plus-plus slider, both considered among the best pitches in the draft. In 100.0 innings this spring, Burns struck out a school-record 191 batters while walking just 30, sporting a 2.70 ERA.

Another Wake Forest product, righty Rhett Lowder, was the second pitcher drafted in the 2023 MLB draft behind Skenes. Lowder was also selected by the Reds, but he never played with Burns in college.

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Rookie Rece Hinds hits two additional impressive home runs as the Cincinnati Reds defeat the Miami Marlins 10-6, securing the series win

Rookie Rece Hinds smashed two more impressive home runs, propelling the Cincinnati Reds to a 10-6 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Hinds has now hit five home runs and nine extra-base hits since his major league debut on Monday. Among his hits, only one home run fell short of 400 feet — a grand slam measuring 397 feet on Friday night.

Hinds has set a record for the most extra-base hits by any player in their first six games in major league history.

“I’m completely focused,” Hinds remarked. “I’m targeting a specific spot and when I connect, I’m making the most of it.”

In the third inning on Saturday, Hinds led off with a 430-foot solo home run into the upper deck in left field. Later, with the Reds clinging to a 7-6 lead in the sixth inning, he smashed another home run to left field, a two-run shot that traveled 454 feet and left his bat at 112 mph.

“It’s incredible to watch,” said Reds manager David Bell. “To see someone play  baseball with such pure focus is a joy. I’m thrilled for Rece. These games are important for us, and he’s made a significant impact since joining the team.”

Elly De La Cruz and Jeimer Candelario hit consecutive home runs in the third inning, while Spencer Steer and Santiago Espinal also contributed home runs for the Reds. This victory marked their second consecutive win against the Marlins, following a successful series against the Colorado Rockies earlier in the week.

For the Marlins, Jake Burger and Josh Bell hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning off Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott, who struggled through one of his toughest outings of the season. Abbott allowed five runs and seven hits in just 3 1/3 innings.

However, the Reds’ bullpen effectively held the Marlins scoreless for the remainder of the game. Sam Moll (1-1) earned the win by getting the final out in the fifth inning.

Marlins starter Edward Cabrera (1-3) had a similarly challenging outing, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and giving up seven runs and six hits while striking out seven batters.