Reds prospect Justin Lebron draws Dansby Swanson comparison

When the Cincinnati Reds selected yet another middle infielder in the first round of the 2026 draft, especially a primary shortstop, it may have surprised some people but not others. Major league teams don't exactly shy away from taking the best player available in any draft, especially at a premium position like shortstop.

The Reds' decision to take Justin Lebron with the No. 18 overall pick meant he joined a crowded group of young players in the organization projected to play shortstop. Steele Hall, the Reds' No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, was a first-round pick in 2025. Tyson Lewis, the Reds' No. 4 prospect, was a second-round pick out of high school in 2024 and projects to play shortstop or third base.

You also have to remember Edwin Arroyo, who debuted in 2026, and Carlos Sanchez, who is now having success in the Arizona Fall League.

However, none of them had quite the stretch Lebron did to start his career. He gave the Reds a look at the ceiling they saw in him in July, leading Baseball America to rank him the No. 2 prospect in the Reds' organization, usurping the likes of Steele Hall on its list.

In 23 games at High-A Dayton, Lebron hit .292 with a .940 OPS and a whopping eight home runs with 16 RBIs. He also posted five doubles, showing off his power with regularity. Lebron walked eight times and struck out 28 times while stealing six bases.

He had a seven-game stretch in the first month of his career in which he hit five of his eight home runs. He went without a hit in only six of his 23 games with the Dragons, matching that power and pop with strong consistency.

Baseball America's JJ Cooper compared him to Dansby Swanson, who has been one of the league's better shortstops since debuting with the Atlanta Braves in 2016 after being taken No. 1 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015. Cooper said Lebron could evolve into a "Dansby Swanson-esque profile."

Lebron's skill set is very intriguing, as the combination of power and speed at shortstop can turn into a franchise cornerstone for years to come. While the Swanson profile makes sense, he almost screams Trevor Story to me, especially with his rather troubling strikeout rate in his first 23 games of pro ball.

If he can become a consistent fielder, or possibly transition into a role in the outfield, and cut down on the strikeouts, Lebron can turn into a really good player for the Reds in the future.