Cincinnati Reds draft 2 players from University of Alabama

University of Alabama infielder Justin Lebron was chosen in the first round of the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Saturday, selected 18th overall by the Cincinnati Reds.

With his selection, Lebron becomes the seventh first-rounder in Alabama history. The Florida native also stands as the third-consecutive first round pick produced by the Crimson Tide, joining Riley Quick, who was chosen 36th overall by Minnesota Twins in 2025, and Ben Hess, who was chosen 26th overall by the New York Yankees in 2024. Lebron is Alabama's highest drafted position player since Joe Vitiello (OF) was selected seventh overall by the Kansas City Royals in 1991.

Justin Lebron (1st Round | 18th Overall | Cincinnati Reds)
Infielder, Junior

• An impactful talent that was the face of the Crimson Tide program during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa

• Started 177 career games at Alabama, posting a .309 (212-685) average with 40 doubles, one triple, 46 home runs, 157 RBI and a .984 OPS

• Added 82 career walks to go with 66 stolen bases in 68 attempts

• Finished 42 of 43 in stolen base tries in 2026 to rank fifth in the nation and lead all SEC players

• Was the only player in Division I to produce at least 16 home runs and 42-plus steals this past season

• His 42 steals in 2026 were tied for third-most in a single season in program history

• Lebron's 66 career steals are also third-most in a career in Alabama program history

• Departs Tuscaloosa as one of only eight players in program history with at least 46 career home runs

• Ended his college career as a seven-time All-American and a three-time ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region honoree

• Twice named an All-Southeastern Conference selection and SEC All-Defensive Team standout

• Named a Golden Spikes Semifinalist during his sophomore campaign

• Named to SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll (2024-25) and SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll (2023-24).

Alabama's Tyler Fay, Zane Adams and Brady Neal were each selected on the second and final day of the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Sunday.

Fay (169th overall I Pittsburgh Pirates) and Adams (171st overall I Baltimore Orioles) were both chosen in the sixth round while Neal (242nd overall I Cincinnati Reds) was selected in the eighth round. Fay, Adams, and Neal join first-rounder Justin Lebron (18th overall I Cincinnati Reds) to encompass the Crimson Tide's four draftees over the two-day event.

Brady Neal (8th Round | 242nd Overall | Cincinnati Reds)
Catcher/Utility, Senior

• A steady presence in the Alabama lineup that provided defensive support at a variety of positions

• Maintained a .279 (94-337) average in two years with the Crimson Tide after transferring from LSU, where he spent his first two collegiate seasons

• Also produced 21 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 70 RBI, and 64 walks in 102 games at Alabama, making 98 starts

• Excelled during his senior season to earn Second Team All-SEC honors in 2026 after being responsible for a .316 (66-209) average in 61 games, including 58 starts

• Contributed 15 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 51 RBI and 35 walks during his final collegiate season, leading all Tide players with a .429 on-base percentage and a .541 slugging percentage

• Was crucial to the Tide's three-game jaunt in the 2026 NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, going 5-for-13 (.385) with one double, two home runs, six RBI and one walk

• Provided the most notable moment of the Tuscaloosa Regional, clubbing a two-out, go-ahead three-run home run in the 11th inning, leading to Alabama's 9-7 win in the Regional Final over Oklahoma State

• Neal was later named to the Tuscaloosa Regional All-Tournament Team as well as earning Tournament MVP honors for his performance

• Produced two of Alabama's three four-hit games in 2026, doing so most recently against UAB on April 14

• In that same contest, Neal collected three doubles, becoming the first Tide player since Chandler Avant in 2018 to record three doubles in a single game

• Added to the 2024-25 First Year SEC Academic Honor Roll.