Chase Burns is making a statement in 2026, and the numbers back it up. The Cincinnati Reds' 23-year-old right-hander has emerged as the National League's top pitcher by Wins Above Replacement (WAR) through the early part of the season, according to Baseball Reference's latest calculations.

Coming off a dominant Sunday outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Burns delivered a career-best 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball. He held the Bucs hitless in key moments, lowering his ERA to a microscopic 2.20. His 201 ERA+ — meaning he's been twice as effective as the league average pitcher — is a testament to his growing command. Add a 1.024 WHIP and a stellar 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, and you have a pitcher who's not just good, but elite.

At just 1.8 WAR, Burns leads all NL hurlers, a remarkable feat for someone with only 15 career starts. He's putting together the kind of season that makes scouts and fans alike take notice. For the Reds, this is especially impressive given they've been without ace Hunter Greene and reliable starter Nick Lodolo for the entire 2026 campaign so far. Yet Burns has stepped up to anchor the rotation, proving that Cincinnati's pitching depth runs deeper than many expected.

What's exciting is that this feels like just the beginning. Burns has the full arsenal — a blazing fastball, sharp breaking stuff, and the poise of a veteran. If his early numbers are any indication, we'll be seeing his name atop these leaderboards for years to come. For now, Reds fans can enjoy watching a young star rise, one brilliant outing at a time.