​The UCLA Bruins celebrated a notable Draft weekend as two of their players were selected in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Logan Reddemann was picked up by the Colorado Rockies, while Mulivai Levu, UCLA’s standout first baseman, entered the professional ranks with the Cincinnati Reds as the 70th overall pick on Saturday. Levu’s performance for UCLA this past season cemented his status as a developing star, especially during the Big Ten Conference tournament, where he helped lead the Bruins to their inaugural Big Ten tournament title. Over the season, Levu posted a .340 batting average and slammed 18 home runs, showcasing the combination of power and contact that teams covet in a premier hitting prospect.
Levu, a Huntington Beach native, spent three seasons in Westwood, steadily improving each year until he reached the first round of the MLB Draft’s upper tier. His trajectory at UCLA culminated in a powerful finish that landed him in a favorable situation with the Reds. If Levu can translate his success from the college level to the major leagues, he will likely see action at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly home stadium. The Reds already feature one of the more prominent contenders for National League Rookie of the Year at first base with Sal Stewart, who, however, has demonstrated the versatility to play third base as well. This flexibility could open a spot for Levu at first base, allowing him to carve out a regular role in Cincinnati’s lineup.
Throughout his NCAA career, Levu was a consistent producer at the plate, finishing with a robust .320 career batting average across 171 games, along with 36 home runs and 181 RBIs. He demonstrated a knack for driving in runs, including a career-high 85 RBIs in 2025 for the Bruins. Levu’s development paralleled that of another UCLA standout, Roch Cholowsky, whom head coach John Savage recruited in the same class. Three years later, both Levu and Cholowsky were selected within the first two rounds of the MLB Draft, underscoring the strength of UCLA’s recruiting pipeline and player development during Savage’s tenure.
This piece originally appeared on UCLA Wire, highlighting Levu’s selection by the Cincinnati Reds and serving as a resource for fans seeking a deeper dive into UCLA’s draft impact and Levu’s potential future contributions at the major league level. Levu’s journey from a productive college career to a professional path with the Reds exemplifies UCLA’s ongoing success in developing collegiate talent for the professional ranks.