The kids are alright in Cincinnati. When the National and American League rosters dropped on the Fourth of July for the upcoming Midsummer Classic, two of the Reds’ youngest building blocks found their names on the sheet. Starting pitcher Chase Burns and rookie infielder Sal Stewart are officially heading to Philadelphia.
Burns is only 23. He has barely been in the big leagues for over a year, but his 2026 campaign looks like the work of a seasoned ace. The right-hander has racked up a 10-1 record, a stingy 2.40 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP. He is one of only five pitchers in the majors with double-digit wins right now. His ERA sits at fifth in the National League, and his WHIP matches up with established veterans like Chris Sale. Burns credited offseason grind for the nod, calling the selection a blessing.
This makes three straight years the Reds have sent a starting pitcher to the exhibition. Andrew Abbott went in 2025, and Hunter Greene got the nod in 2024. Before them, Alexis Diaz and Luis Castillo represented the club. It is also the third consecutive year Cincinnati is sending multiple players to the game, keeping up a trend started when Elly De La Cruz joined the party in previous seasons.
Then there is Stewart. At 22, the rookie is making a serious run at the National League Rookie of the Year award. He already has an NL Player of the Week honor and an April Rookie of the Month trophy on his shelf. Now, he is an All-Star. Stewart leads all NL rookies with 17 home runs, 43 walks, and 11 stolen bases. His 60 RBIs lead all rookies in baseball and place him seventh overall among all major leaguers.
Stewart admitted he was stunned by the news, calling it a dream come true. Despite his raw power, which includes a massive blast he hit in Philadelphia back in May, the young infielder confirmed he has not been invited to the Home Run Derby yet.
The Reds will have plenty of representation during the festivities at Citizens Bank Park. Top catching prospect Alfredo Duno is slated for the Futures Game on July 12, which airs on NBC and Peacock. The Home Run Derby follows on July 13, streaming on Netflix for the first time. The main event kicks off July 14 on FOX.
