The Cincinnati Reds added another intriguing piece to their 2026 MLB Draft haul on Tuesday, signing second-round pick Eric Becker for $1.65 million, $12,300 over slot.
Becker is the kind of name that can get lost behind a flashy first-round headline, but there’s real buzz around what the Reds may have landed here. Keith Law of The Athletic was especially high on the Virginia infielder, noting that he had Becker ranked as a top-15 talent in the draft because of the bat.
“Virginia shortstop Eric Becker (2) missed about a month this spring to a hand injury, and hurt his numbers when he tried to play through it,” Law wrote. “I had him as a top-15 talent in the draft because of the potential for a plus hit tool.
He makes hard contact and uses the whole field well with a swing that produces a lot of low line drives. I don’t think he has any chance to stick at shortstop, but he should be solid at second base.”
That evaluation fits the broader picture around Becker. He entered the season with first-round expectations, but injuries knocked his college year off track and pushed him into the second round. Cincinnati still appears to have treated him like a player with premium upside.
There’s plenty to like in the profile. Becker brings a plus hit tool, a very projectable frame and solid speed, along with enough athleticism to keep the door open on multiple infield spots.
If everything comes together, he could develop into a five-tool type in the infield. The likely landing spot, though, may be second base, with third base also a possibility since he has played there before.
The Reds already got a big name in Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron in the first round, and Becker gives them another player who could end up looking like a steal if he gets back to full strength and reaches his ceiling.
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