Cincinnati Reds (2026 Season Thread)

[buckeyemania11]

From reds minor league.com

The Cincinnati Reds have selected shortstop Justin Lebron out of the University of Alabama with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

Justin Lebron Scouting Report​

Height: 6′ 2″ | Weight: 190 lbs.

Bats: Right| Throws: Right | Position: Shortstop

Highest Ranking: 8 (ESPN)

The player with arguably the highest upside in the entire draft, Justin Lebron has some explosive tools to work with. He has plus raw power, plus speed, and he has plus defensive tools. But there are concerns about his ability to hit. And that showed up in college, too.

IN the 2026 season Justin Lebron hit just .277 and had 27 walks with 56 strikeouts. His numbers were much worse than that once he got into SEC play where he hit just .230 in conference play. The low average in college and his downright poor strikeout-to-walk ratio leaves many evaluators with serious concerns about what you can expect to see him to against professional pitchers.

If everything goes right you could see a lower average, but still productive offensive player who hits for plenty of power and steals a lot of bases (he had 42 steals in 43 tries this season for Alabama). That would be coupled with quality defense at shortstop. Overall that’s an incredibly valuable player.

Justin Lebron Stats​

Given the Reds track record of developing hitters, a guy that struck out twice as often as he walked all through college is...curious.

Some were projecting this guy to Cleveland. I was happy to avoid him. The fact that He only hit .229 in SEC conference play this year and had a very high whiff rate at pitches in the zone makes it hard to figure out what teams see in him. Speed is worthless if you can't get on base can't steal 1st

 

[Jaxbuck]

Some were projecting this guy to Cleveland. I was happy to avoid him. The fact that He only hit .229 in SEC conference play this year and had a very high whiff rate at pitches in the zone makes it hard to figure out what teams see in him. Speed is worthless if you can't get on base can't steal 1st

Billy Hamilton’s HOf career would beg to differ sir.

Wait…

 

[Jaxbuck]

He’s no Zach Cozart.

Laverne 2.0 if he even makes it to the bigs.

 

[Mike80]

Some were projecting this guy to Cleveland. I was happy to avoid him. The fact that He only hit .229 in SEC conference play this year and had a very high whiff rate at pitches in the zone makes it hard to figure out what teams see in him. Speed is worthless if you can't get on base can't steal 1st

Given who the Orioles selected, I'm absolutely shocked they didn't pick him either....

 

[Tanner]

I understand taking BPA in drafts but these fuggin guys take shortstops and pitchers with every pick they have and wonder why they dont have a major league outfield

 

[Jaxbuck]

So they take 5 guys in the first 4 rounds. All college players.

-the SS that can’t hit but has crazy power in BP
-another SS that can hit but has no power. Also can’t stick at SS so 2B but at least he can put bat to ball.
-a 1B that can hit decent and has decent power so maybe turns into a real 1B someday. Also apparently a lumbering oaf defensively and can’t run so he’s going to have to hit a ton. Upside for him is that he’s in an organization nearly devoid of talented competition.
-2 pitchers who were already bullpen arms in college.

Fuck me with a chainsaw this is an exciting franchise. So happy to be a fan.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I didn't watch last nights episode of Desperate Tragic Fucking Losers of Cincinnati but I see Lodolo left with another blister/vaginal issue.

At some point, someone has to maybe start to come to grips with the fact the guy can't be a starter. Legs or blisters, he just can't come close to 180+ innings. Things just give out.

Why not see if he can be the hammer closer it appears he might be able to be? You have absolutely nothing to lose because he can't be a starter. This should be treated as truth at this point. Pretending he can be is fantasy.

 

[Bestbuck36]

I didn't watch last nights episode of Desperate Tragic Fucking Losers of Cincinnati but I see Lodolo left with another blister/vaginal issue.

At some point, someone has to maybe start to come to grips with the fact the guy can't be a starter. Legs or blisters, he just can't come close to 180+ innings. Things just give out.

Why not see if he can be the hammer closer it appears he might be able to be? You have absolutely nothing to lose because he can't be a starter. This should be treated as truth at this point. Pretending he can be is fantasy.

Worst managed organization in all of sports. Id take the fucking Browns leadership over these assholes without a blink.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Worst managed organization in all of sports. Id take the fucking Browns leadership over these assholes without a blink.

Along those lines; Day 2 of the draft.

1 high school kid that you can at least project and have a reasonable shot at something happening.

3 more, and counting, college guys who have already shown their limits in college as in they are a bullpen arm, defense only catcher or infielder that couldn't hit in college.

I really don't get this. Maybe it's the economics of a looming lock out? Are they just trying to make sure the minors are stocked? They are drafting guys who topped out in college.

 

[ochre]

does that mean Milton Loo wasn't available?

 

[Herb Kirkstreit]

The blister is back. 15 day DL for Lodolo because blister.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Dominic Santarelli, LF, St. Joseph Catholic HS (WI), LSU commit

If they grab this kid it won't fix all their previous fuck ups but he is a position of need and the upside/ ability to actually make it. He's at 80 and available still