Second-overall pick Chase Burns received a $9.25 million bonus from the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com, breaking Paul Skenes’ record for the largest draft bonus in MLB history.
Skenes previously signed for a $9.2 million bonus after being selected with the first-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Burns is the only rookie from the 2024 class to officially sign thus far.
The right-hander pitched his first two seasons of college at Tennessee before transferring to Wake Forest ahead of the 2023 season.
In his junior and final season in the NCAA, Burns struck out a Wake Forest record 191 batters and recorded a 2.70 ERA in 100 innings.
