The Reds may have landed one of the most fascinating names in the 2026 MLB Draft with Justin Lebron, a first-round pick Keith Law of The Athletic described as a “high risk, high reward” swing for Cincinnati.
Law pointed to the way the Reds opened the draft as part of the bigger picture, noting that the club paired Lebron with a group of college players meant to bring some stability to the class. His view was that Cincinnati took on plenty of upside early, then balanced it with safer bets later on.
“The Reds led off their draft with one of the highest-risk, highest-reward prospects in the class, but then backed it up with a run of college guys who offer relative certainty that they’ll end up with at least some major-league value to balance out their portfolio," Law wrote. "Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron (1) had the best pure tools in the college class, with plus defense, plus raw power, above-average speed out of the box and bat speed.
"However, he has had a hard time with contact against better pitching and saw his performance drop when SEC play began for the second year in a row. There’s superstar upside here - a potential 20/20 guy with a ton of value on defense at short, if he can hit enough to get to it."
That upside is what makes Lebron such an intriguing fit. He brings elite athletic traits, including 70-grade speed that should play well in the minors. Cincinnati also added another premium runner in Steele Hall in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, though Lebron is considered more polished in most other areas.
The concern is the bat. Lebron has the kind of raw power that can change a game with one swing, but his approach and contact issues remain the key question. If those whiff problems follow him as he moves from college to the minors, that could slow everything down.
If the Reds can help him put it all together, though, they may have something special on their hands. He has the tools to become the best player in the draft class.
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For Cincinnati fans, it is another reminder that Vottos connection to the organization has not faded with his playing days. He has already made several appearances on MLB Networks MLB Now and even left a lasting mark at Great American Ball Park by donating a clock to the stadium, and now he is moving into a national spotlight that should keep him close to the game he helped define for so long. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Veterans Suddenly Look Like Deadline Trade Bait Again
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Surezs recent uptick, Lowes bargain contract and the appeal of left-handed relief help all give the Reds some movable pieces, even if nothing has been finalized. The bigger question is how far Cincinnati is prepared to go if interest builds, because the market can change quickly once teams start hunting for pitching, catching and bullpen depth. For now, the names are out there, the deadline clock is ticking and the Reds look as if they could be one of the more active teams to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mariner Eugenio Surez Returns With Trade Deadline Tension Hanging Over Him
Eugenio Surez has given the Reds exactly the kind of post-injury spark that tends to stir up July conversation. After missing a month with an oblique strain, the veteran third baseman has settled back in and started driving the ball again, the sort of stretch that naturally gets noticed with the trade deadline closing in and Cincinnati facing a decision on several players who could draw interest.
Surez has been through this before, with multiple moves already on his resume, so the possibility of another one is hardly foreign. Even with that backdrop, he has kept his focus on the field, and there was also a more personal moment recently when he and Ezequiel Tovar connected over the earthquakes in Venezuela, a reminder that the deadline noise is only part of the story surrounding him right now. [Read more 🡒]