​The Cincinnati Reds are slated to select five times on the opening day of the two-day 2026 MLB Draft, with the action kicking off on Saturday afternoon, July 12. If you pinpoint the exact broadcast window for the start of the draft, you’ll need to switch channels in time for the Reds’ first selection at No. 18 overall. That first pick is scheduled to occur in the mid-afternoon, and viewers should be prepared to switch as coverage shifts. NBC and Peacock will televise only the first 10 picks, which run from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., so fans watching on those platforms will need to transition to alternate coverage for the later selections.
From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the draft coverage expands across a blend of platforms, including league-wide affiliates, MLB Network, MLB.TV, and MLB.com, as the selections from picks 11 through 40 are announced. The remainder of the first day, extending into the fourth round, will be accessible through MLB.TV and MLB.com. The draft then continues on Sunday, July 13, with rounds 5 through 20, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and streaming exclusively on MLB.TV and MLB.com.
Among the notable local connections to the event, Cincinnati Bearcats junior catcher Jack Natili has earned recognition as a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award, which honors the nation’s premier college catcher. The Reds’ first-day selections are positioned at 18th overall, followed by picks at 58th, 70th, 94th, and 122nd.
On a national level, the Chicago White Sox hold the top overall pick in this draft, and there is broad anticipation that they might select UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky to begin the event. Within the local arena, MLB Pipeline identifies UC catcher Jack Natili as the top Ohio prospect in the draft, ranking him 74th overall among all eligible players.
This coverage provides a comprehensive overview of how to watch the Reds’ first-day selections, including the pivotal 18th pick on Saturday, July 12. As the draft unfolds, fans can follow the Reds’ five opportunities to add fresh prospects to their organization, with various broadcasting options ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action. This summary reflects the broader context of the 2026 MLB Draft and highlights relevant regional talent, including Natili’s standing among Ohio’s top prospects and the expectations surrounding the White Sox’ number-one selection. The information here originally appeared in reports from the Cincinnati Enquirer, framed to help fans understand when and where to watch the Reds’ 18th overall selection and the subsequent rounds.