The Cincinnati Reds just pulled a wild move in the 2026 MLB Draft, picking not one, but *two* college shortstops right out of the gate. After snagging Justin Lebron at #18 in the first round, they immediately followed up by taking University of Virginia product Eric Becker in the second, a pick that screams strategic genius when you dig into his profile.
Eric Becker Is a Contact Machine and Cincinnati Fans Should Be Hyped
Let's talk about Eric Becker. This dude bats lefty, which is always a sweet sight at the plate, and he was a hot commodity, ranked as the #41 prospect on MLB Pipeline's big board heading into draft day. Becker is built like a ballplayer at 6-3 and 190 pounds, and Perfect Game described him as a "Polished LHH with advanced barrel feel, projectable power." They even noted his "sound defensive actions at SS," calling him "one of the safer profiles in the class." This isn't just some raw talent; this is a guy who looks ready to hit the ground running. What's really fascinating is how Becker is almost the mirror image of Lebron, at least on paper. Becker is all about being a contact-first hitter, the kind of guy who absolutely owns the zone, rarely chasing pitches outside of it. He's got that doubles power that keeps the line moving, maybe not the moonshot pop of some guys, but consistently putting the ball in play is a skill you cannot teach. This guy was a total beast for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2026, leading the entire team in batting average, RBI, doubles, and total bases. That's not just good; that's *elite* bat-to-ball skill right there, making him one of the top ACC bats available.The Reds Play Chess, Not Checkers, With These Picks
MLB Pipeline noted that Becker has "an average runner with an average arm," which suggests he might profile more as a second baseman than a pure shortstop at the big league level. And that's where the Reds' strategy gets really smart. It's a classic draft play: you go for the high-upside, maybe a bit riskier "ceiling" guy in the first round with Lebron, and then you grab someone who feels like a total sure bet, a "high-floor" guy, in the second. That's Becker. The Reds basically found a polished, reliable bat fall right into their laps and pounced on it. It ensures they've got talent coming up, no matter what. Speaking of swings and misses, our own Mariners took a tough one today. They fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2. We know our boys will be looking to bounce back fast in their next game. We'll be right there with them, loud as ever.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.