Complete list of Reds 2026 MLB Draft picks with every pick explained

The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up their 2026 draft this past weekend and restocked the cupboard with a number of talented young players. Reds fans know all too well that drafting and developing prospects is Cincinnati's best way to compete against the big-market teams.

This year's draft handed the Reds 21 picks, most of which are expected to sign ahead of the July 27th deadline. There were some familiar names taken in first few rounds, along with a handful that required some more in-depth investigation.

Most talent evaluators have given the Reds a passing grade for this year's draft, though that could go up or down based on how these young player develop over the next few years.

Complete list of Reds 2026 MLB Draft picks with quick analysis of every selection

Round 1, Pick 18 - Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

Lebron is a polarizing prospect. He has plus-speed and the defensive acumen to stick at shortstop. There are legitimate concerns about his ability to make contact, but if he's able to put those fears to bed, he could become a fixture in the middle of the Reds lineup. This pick is all about development. In other words, can the Reds coach him up?

Round 2, Pick 58 - Eric Becker, SS, Virginia

Becker was arguably the one of safest picks the Reds made during last weekend's draft. There are obvious questions about his ability to remain at shortstop — most scouts view him as a second or third baseman in the major leagues — but he's a contact hitter with enough untapped power to become a regular down the road.

Competitive Balance Round B, Pick 70 - Mullvai Levu, 1B, UCLA

A power-hitting first base prospect will immediately trigger visions of Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Levu, however, has better bat to ball skills than CES, but he has a penchant to swing at everything. He didn't strike out a lot in college, but he didn't walk much either. The latter will need to improve if he hopes to reach his true potential.

Round 3, Pick 94 - Tyner Horn, RHP, Nebraska

A number of draft experts considered Horn a reach in the third-round, and maybe they're right. Some view the right-hander as a backend starter, while others see a move to the bullpen in his future. He has a large repertoire, but none of his pitches really stand out. If Horn whittles down his pitch selection to just two offerings, he could hone his craft and become a successful reliever.

Round 4, Pick 122 - Ethan Norby, LHP, East Carolina

Norby's slight frame is of concern, but that lower release point helps him deceive opposing batters. Much like the aforementioned Horn, there's plenty of reliever risk with this pick, but Cincinnati obviously liked the upside.

Round 5, Pick 154 - Dylan Bowen, SS, Hanover Central (IN)

If Bowen signs, this has the potential to be the club's best selection from the 2026 draft. He's an older prospect from the prep ranks, but scouts rave about his bat speed. The hope is that he can develop some power during his minor-league career. If not, Cincinnati might be left with a speedy slap-hitter.

Round 6, Pick 183 - Duncan Marsten, RHP, Wake Forest

The Reds love pitchers from Wake Forest, don't they? Marsten doesn't have the same first-round pedigree as Chase Burns or Rhett Lowder, but there's a good chance he can quickly ascend through the Reds farm system if he find a way to generate success against lefties.

Round 7, Pick 212 - Sherman Johnson, 3B, NC State

Sherman Johnson was a defensive wizard during his first two collegiate years at Dallas Baptist. There's plenty of raw power for the Reds to dream on, and if he reaches that ceiling, Cincinnati might have gotten the steal of their draft in the seventh round.

Round 8, Pick 242 - Brady Neal, C, Alabama

Neal was originally selected in the 17th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, but chose to honor his college commitment at LSU instead. He transferred to Alabama and received second-team All-SEC honors in 2026 while playing multiple positions for the Crimson Tide.

Round 9, Pick 272 - Damian Ruiz, OF, Arkansas

Ruiz started every game for the Razorbacks as a redshirt junior last season in Fayetteville. Most of his playing time came in left field, though he started four games in center field. His speed allowed him to swipe 16-of-17 bases at Arkansas last season, and managed to post a .919 OPS in SEC play.

Round 10, Pick 302 - Conner Griffin, RHP, SUNY Binghamton

Not to be confused with Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin, the Reds' 10th-round draft pick has an imposing 6-foot-6 presence on the mound. Griffin went 3-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 15 starts last season and struck out 65 batters in just over 60 innings pitched.

Round 11, Pick 332 - Calvin Proskey, RHP, UC-Santa Barbara

The right-hander made eight starts for UC-Santa Barbara last season and logged a 2.87 ERA across 31⅓ innings of work after recording a 3.78 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) in 2025. Proskey's signature pitch is a heavy-breaking curveball that the Reds' development staff will surely looking to enhance.

Round 12, Pick 362 - Brodie Purcell, RHP, Florida State

A 6-foot-3 reliever for the Seminoles this past season, Purcell made 23 appearances out of the FSU bullpen in 2026 and notched 58 punch outs while covering 38 innings. He was named to the Tallahassee All-Regional Team during postseason play earlier this year and his seven-strikeout performance on May 31 against Northern Illinois was certainly a factor in that decision.

Round 13, Pick 392 - Kenny Ishikawa, TWP, Georgia

The Reds added another two-way player to their coffers this past weekend. Cincinnati already has Taiwanese-born two-way player Sheng-En Lin in their farm system — though he's since been converted to a pitcher only. Ishikawa was much better at the dish than he was on the mound, so it'll be interesting to see how the Reds move forward with his development.

Round 14, Pick 422 - Ray Ladd, RHP, Radford

Another 6-foot-6 hurler, Ladd was a two-way player in his own right during his high school days. During his 2026 campaign at Radford, he posted a 4.68 ERA in 15 starts with 57 strikeouts in just less than 60 innings pitched. The righty did a good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark for the Highlanders last season.

Round 15, Pick 452 - David Hinojosa, RHP, Poly Prep (NY)

One of the top prep prospects in the state of New York, Hinojosa has a verbal commitment to Vanderbilt, so his signability is definitely a question mark here. He's an athletic young hurler with upside, but he might be ticketed for a three-year stay in Nashville rather than a trip to one of the Reds' minor league affiliates.

Round 16, Pick 482 - Victor Christal, RHP, Johnson County CC

Christal previously pitched for the Missouri Tigers and has a four-pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball. He made 15 starts last season and struck out 95 batters over 55⅔ innings — granted that was against lesser competition. But that type of production will get you noticed.

Round 17, Pick 512 - Jack Lausch, OF, Northwestern

A two-sport athlete at Northwestern, Lausch led the Wildcats in batting average (.312), on-base percentage (.393), and slugging (.653) last season. He tallied 16 home runs and four triples and was named to the Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2026.

Round 18, Pick 542 - Matt Ponatoski, RHP, Moeller (OH)

A local high school product, Ponatoski was always unlikely to sign with the Reds unless they were unable to sign one of their top-10 picks. He made the decision to honor his college commitment earlier this week. Ponatoski has committed to play baseball and football at the University of Kentucky and plans to enroll in Lexington this week.

Round 19, Pick 572 - Ryan Nelson, RHP, East Central CC

Nelson's cousin, Roosevelt Brown, played for the Chicago Cubs from 1999-2002, and the Vicksburg, Mississippi native will be looking to follow in his footsteps. He turned 20 years old the day before the Reds took him in the 19th round.

Round 20, Pick 602 - Tristan Helmick, RHP, Lafayette College

The Reds went with size in this year's draft; Helmick was the third 6-foot-6 pitcher Cincinnati selected. He made 12 appearances, including 10 starts for the Leopards in 2026, and racked up 49 strikeouts to go alongside his 5.78 ERA.

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