CINCINNATI -- Although the Reds stuck to their policy of taking the best players available to them in each round of the 2026 MLB Draft on the first day, they also appeared to be drawn to prospects from the college ranks.
With their first pick at No. 18 overall, Cincinnati selected shortstop Justin Lebron out of the University of Alabama. Then their next four selections also came from the college ranks.
2026 MLB DRAFT PRESENTED BY NIPPON EXPRESS
Day 2: Sunday, July 12 (Rounds 5-20)
• 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET (MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+)
Coverage
“Not by design, it just happened that way," Reds amateur scouting director Joe Katuska said. "We talk about the best player available at every pick there and we lined those guys up and they were the best players.”
College position players like Lebron can usually hit the ground running in the Minor Leagues once they sign. There are no concerns about innings or workloads on arms like there are for pitchers.
More on the Reds' 2026 Draft:
The Draft will continue on Sunday with Rounds 5-20 and will be held from 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET on MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+.
“It’s always a great thing when we can get our hands on them and start making the adjustments that he needs to make," Katuska said. "The more time we have with him, the more confidence we have in him being able to make those adjustments moving forward.”
Overall, the first day of the Draft went the way the Reds scouting department hoped it would.
“Every scouting department is going to tell you they crushed it, but we feel really good about what we did -- the work we did coming into it, how we had the board lined up and what ended up happening today," Katuska said. "We’re really happy with how it played out.”
Here is more about the other four picks the Reds made on Day 1 of the Draft.
ERIC BECKER, SS
- Round 2, Pick 58
- Bats/throws: L/R
- School: Virginia
- What to know: Ranked as the No. 41 Draft prospect, Becker batted .348 with a 1.048 OPS over three college seasons. Hitting is his plus tool -- over power -- and he is considered to have a solid approach, excellent bat-to-ball skills and doesn't chase much. His brother, Nick, was a 2025 second-round pick of the Mariners.
- Quote: “He’s a very well-rounded baseball player. I think people sleep on some of his tools a little bit because of how even it is across the board, but he can really hit.” -- Katuska
MULIVAI LEVU, 1B
- Round CB-B, Pick 70
- Bats/throws: L/R
- School: UCLA
- What to know: Levu had his best season in 2026, batting .340 with a 1.063 OPS and 18 homers in 59 games. His left-handed raw power is his best tool and he can hit to all fields. But he also swings at everything and needs to cut down his chase rate. Levu has other skills that show his hand-eye coordination. He's an excellent pickleball player and has experience as a flame-twirler as part of his Samoan culture.
- Quote: “He can just flat-out hit. He’s a better athlete than people give him credit for. We think he has the opportunity to play third base as well. The bat, the advancement we’ve seen from him over the last couple of years -- we just have high confidence in him as a hitter.” -- Katuska
TYNER HORN, P
- Round 3, Pick 94
- Throws: RHP
- School: Nebraska
- What to know: Began this season as a starter for the Huskers but was demoted to the bullpen. Horn was 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 22 games, including 12 starts. He had 87 strikeouts and 26 walks over 82 2/3 innings.
- Quote: “What we’re doing is projecting these players into the future, not just the stats that they’ve compiled or the roles that they played in for their team up to this point. It was up-and-down over the course of the year. … We saw physical ability to be a starting pitcher and are excited about him moving forward.” -- Katuska
ETHAN NORBY, P
- Round 4, Pick 122
- Throws: LHP
- School: East Carolina
- What to know: The brother of Triple-A Jacksonville infielder Connor Norby, Ethan Norby was considered to have one of the best sliders in college baseball and can give it high spin in the 79-82 mph range.
- Quote: “Norby thinks he’s better than his brother, so I bet if you ask him, he’ll tell you he could hit like his brother. Super competitive kid [who] has been a starter at ECU who has weapons to fill multiple roles in the big leagues. He’s a fun one to be around.” -- Katuska