​PHILADELPHIA – The Cincinnati Reds used the No. 18 overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11, to select University of Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron. Here are five key details about the 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed hitter who is poised to draw comparisons to Elly De La Cruz for a potent blend of power and speed.
Lebron, who starred at Alabama, is known for a dynamic offensive profile that combines raw pop with sneaker-like speed. In his junior season with the Crimson Tide, he led the team with 16 home runs and stole 42 bases in 43 attempts, underscoring his rare speed and power combination. His pace on the bases and ability to impact the ball consistently position him as a potential game-changing offensive player at the professional level. The Reds’ pick at No. 18 marks the second consecutive year they drafted a shortstop from Alabama in the first round, following last year’s selection of high school standout Steele Hall with the ninth overall pick.
Baseball America pegged Lebron as the top-rated college athlete in the draft and the third-rated defensive college shortstop, praising his defensive tools to such an extent that he is projected as a “no-doubt” shortstop at the next level. MLB Pipeline concurred with a favorable assessment, placing Lebron as the No. 9 prospect in the draft and BA’s No. 19 overall prospect, reflecting widespread esteem for his ceiling and skill set.
Lebron’s path to the spotlight is also notable for its unconventional arc. He was an undrafted, relatively unheralded prospect out of Archbishop McCarthy High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, yet he blossomed in college, lifting the Crimson Tide to its first College World Series appearance since 1999 as a junior this season. Born in The Bronx, New York, Lebron moved with his family to South Florida when he was four, a journey that helped shape his development into a polished, well-rounded player.
The Alabama program has had plenty to celebrate beyond Lebron’s individual success. The Crimson Tide players and coaches recently celebrated a 7-2 victory over St. John’s that secured a trip to the College World Series, with Lebron’s leadership and performance contributing to the team’s milestone achievement. In a celebratory moment, Lebron can be seen proudly holding the trophy aloft as fans cheered.
Lebron’s selection adds another layer to a Reds organization that has embraced Alabama talent at the top of the order, signaling that the club values his blend of athleticism, defense, and offensive upside. His progression through the minor leagues will be watched closely, with scouts likely to emphasize his defensive reliability at shortstop while monitoring how his power and speed translate against higher-level pitching.
This overview draws from multiple sources documenting Lebron’s draft status and collegiate accomplishments and reflects the broader context of his rise from an under-the-radar high school prospect to a top-20 pick in the MLB Draft. The original reporting on Lebron’s journey was published by the Cincinnati Enquirer, including their coverage of his selection and the implications for the Reds’ long-term plans.