Reds' First Round Pick Impresses In Pro Debut

Justin Lebron made his professional debut for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. He was assigned to the High-A Dayton Dragons, joining second-round pick Eric Becker, who was assigned late last week. Originally projected as the No. 1 overall pick, LeBron fell to the Reds at No. 18.

Lebron Shines In Professional Debut

The Dayton Dragons lost to the Lake County Captains 8-4 on Tuesday. Lebron singled in his first at-bat in the top of the first to collect his first professional hit. In his second at-bat, he doubled to left field to earn his first extra-base hit. On the night, Lebron went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout while playing shortstop for the Dragons. Playing next to him in the infield was the Reds' second-round pick, Eric Becker. He went 0-for-5 on the night. Becker hit leadoff, with LeBron batting second.

The Dragons' four runs came from Ryan McCrystal, Mason Neville, and Marcus Smith. McCrystal hit a two-run home run in the top of the first to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Neville hit a solo home run in the top of the second to extend the lead to 3-1. Smith hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the Dragons’ final run.

Starter Ovis Portes struggled on the mound Tuesday. He pitched one inning with two hits, three runs, four walks, and two strikeouts. 18 of his 36 pitches were strikes. Andrew Shaffner was credited with the loss. He allowed four runs in an inning with five hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Top-30 prospect Deivi Villafana pitched four innings with five hits, an unearned run, two walks, and three strikeouts. Jacob Edwards followed him in relief with two scoreless innings, allowing a hit, a walk, and four strikeouts.

The Reds are showing a lot of faith in their college draft picks. Both Lebron and Becker are starting their professional careers in High-A. Last season, Steele Hall, who was selected out of high school, began his career in the bridge league of the Arizona Complex League and started 2026 in the ACL. Their first college pick of 2025 was Mason Neville. He, along with the other day-one college picks, started in Low-A Daytona.

Levu Hits Home Run For First Professional Hit

The Reds selected Mulivai Levu with their Competitive Balance pick in this year's draft out of UCLA. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base, winning in consecutive years. He's the only Bruin to win multiple Gold Glove awards. The Tortugas split their doubleheader. They won game one 7-6 and lost game two 9-7.

Levu went 1-for-7 in both games, starting in game one. His first hit came in the fourth inning. It was a two-run home run to center field to extend the Tortugas' lead to 6-2. Jalen Hairston continues to be one of the best hitters in the Florida State League this season; he went 3-for-4 in game one and 1-for-2 with two walks in game two.

Former catching prospect Logan Tanner pitched 2/3 perfect innings with a strikeout in game one. He's allowed just one run in nine innings since converting to pitching, with a .129 average against and 16 strikeouts.

Levu is a promising player at first base. His defense is well above average, and in college, he slashed .320/.400/.541 with 36 home runs, 34 doubles, and 181 RBI. If his bat can develop at the pro level, he will be a player to watch as he progresses.

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