Reds Show Confidence in First Round Pick With Aggressive First Assignment

The Cincinnati Reds drafted University of Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron with the No. 18 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Lebron is coming off a solid season for the Tide, although his production dipped once Alabama got into SEC play and the level of competition increased. He appeared in 61 games in 2026 and slashed .277/.386/.534 with 29 extra-base hits and 42 stolen bases.

Lebron Set to Make Pro Debut

Red — May 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron (1) makes the play on a sharply hit ball in the Tuscaloosa NCAA Regional winner’s bracket game between Alabama and USC Upstate in Sewell-Thomas Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

On Tuesday, the Dayton Dragons announced that LeBron will make his professional debut with the team.

He is in the lineup, playing shortstop, and batting second for Dayton.

"Lebron is one of the biggest enigmas of the 2026 class," Baseball America's scouting report read. "His athleticism, defensive profile and gaudy toolset give him some of the most exciting upside, but continued hitting struggles and an uncharacteristically error-prone junior season have scouts scratching their heads. Lebron hit over .300 with 40 home runs in his first two seasons at Alabama but struggled in 2026 with a .277/.386/.534 slash line. He’s got a great frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with present strength and quick-twitch actions with his legs and hands. Lebron has plenty of bat speed and can flick the ball out of the park with ease. He also has a solid track record of handling high-end velocity, though his production versus fastballs 93 mph and up waned in 2026."

The Dragons will be a fun team to watch the rest of the season with Lebron, Tyson Lewis, and Eric Becker all on the roster.

Reds and White Sox Series Notes

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) pitches in the second inning between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, July 11, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Reds and White Sox have a relatively limited interleague history, but there are plenty of interesting connections between the two franchises. Chicago took two of three from Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park last season and has won 25 of the previous 39 meetings between the teams, including 12 of 20 in Cincinnati.

The Reds are 3-3 against the White Sox over their last six season series after starting the matchup 0-6-1. Of course, the most notable meeting came long before interleague play, when Cincinnati defeated Chicago five games to three in the 1919 World Series to capture the first championship in franchise history.

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