Cincinnati Reds Draft Pitcher with the BEST Pitch in the 2026 MLB Draft? Full Draft Recap & Grades

Nick Kirby is joined by special guest Logan Boyle for a complete breakdown of the Cincinnati Reds' 2026 MLB Draft class. They recap every Reds draft pick, tell you everything you need to know about each player, break down their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and grade Cincinnati's overall draft class.

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The Cincinnati Reds entered the 2026 MLB Draft with the No. 18 overall pick, their lowest first-round selection since 2022, and came away with a class featuring a combination of accomplished college hitters, athletic defenders and intriguing pitching upside.

Cincinnati opened its draft by selecting Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron, one of the most talented and polarizing players in the entire class. Lebron entered the draft ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline but fell to the Reds at No. 18 after an up-and-down junior season.

Lebron still hit .277/.386/.534 with 16 home runs in 61 games for Alabama in 2026. The Reds are betting on his overall body of work, athleticism and defensive ability at shortstop. Cincinnati amateur scouting director Joe Katuska praised both Lebron's talent and intangibles, giving the Reds a potential impact player at a premium position with their first pick.

The Reds continued targeting college position players in the second round, selecting Virginia shortstop Eric Becker with the No. 58 overall pick. Becker was ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 41 draft prospect and hit .348 with a 1.048 OPS over three collegiate seasons.

Becker's carrying tool is his bat. He has strong bat-to-ball skills, a disciplined approach and rarely expands the strike zone. Katuska described Becker as a "very well-rounded baseball player" and believes some of his tools may be underrated because of how balanced his overall game is.

Cincinnati added another potentially impactful bat at No. 70 with UCLA first baseman Mulivai Levu. The left-handed hitter had a monster 2026 season, batting .340 with a 1.063 OPS and 18 home runs in 59 games.

Levu's raw power immediately stands out, but the Reds believe he is a better overall athlete than his first-base designation suggests. Cincinnati plans to explore Levu's ability to play third base. The biggest question will be his aggressive approach and chase rate, but the offensive upside is significant.

The Reds shifted to pitching in rounds three and four.

Nebraska right-hander Tyner Horn was Cincinnati's selection at No. 94. Horn went 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA and struck out 87 batters in 82 2/3 innings. His role fluctuated between the rotation and bullpen, but the Reds believe his physical tools give him a chance to develop as a starting pitcher.

East Carolina left-hander Ethan Norby might be one of the most intriguing picks in Cincinnati's entire draft class. Selected in the fourth round at No. 122, Norby features a slider considered among the best pitches in college baseball. The pitch sits around 79-82 mph with elite spin characteristics, giving the Reds an interesting weapon to develop. Norby has starting experience but could potentially fill multiple roles at the Major League level.

Cincinnati's fifth-round pick, shortstop Dylan Bowen from Hanover Central High School in Indiana, was the first prep player selected by the Reds. Ranked No. 105 by MLB Pipeline, Bowen is an athletic, up-the-middle defender with the versatility to move around the infield. Despite a commitment to Oklahoma State, the Reds are confident they will sign him.

Versatility became a clear theme throughout the middle rounds. Seventh-round third baseman Sherman Johnson can play multiple positions, while eighth-rounder Brady Neal offers a left-handed bat with experience at catcher and in the corner outfield. Arkansas outfielder Damian Ruiz can handle all three outfield spots.

The Reds then heavily targeted pitching in the later rounds. UC Santa Barbara right-hander Calvin Proskey, Florida State reliever Brodie Purcell and several other arms gave Cincinnati additional pitching depth.

One of the most fascinating selections was Georgia two-way player Kenny Ishikawa in the 13th round. Ishikawa, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder, will be given an opportunity to develop as a two-way player. His unusual baseball journey has taken him from Hawaii to Japan and back to the United States. Signing him could be complicated after he was also selected by the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's NPB Draft.

The local headline came in the 18th round when the Reds selected Moeller High School right-hander Matt Ponatoski. The Cincinnati-area star was previously named Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year in both baseball and football and has an offer to play both sports at Kentucky.

Overall, the Reds' 2026 draft class is built around athleticism, positional versatility and developmental upside. Lebron headlines the group, but Becker, Levu and Norby give Cincinnati several fascinating prospects from the opening four rounds.