Alabama baseball former Justin Lebron is already making his mark in the minor leagues after he was taken by the Cincinnati Reds during the first round of the MLB Draft in July. The shortstop lifted the Dayton Dragons, the Reds' High-A affiliate, to a 6-5 win on Saturday, Aug. 15, with a grand slam over the left field wall, marking his second professional home run through five games. A ballpark kid scurried over to pick up the hardball, which was Lebron's seventh hit in the pros. On July 11, Cincinnati selected Lebron with the 18th overall pick and signed him to an over-slot bonus of approximately $5 million. REQUIRED READING: How brother's journey with Williams syndrome drives Alabama baseball's Justin Lebron Saturday wasn't Lebron's first time driving in four runs on one hit. He also accomplished the feat in 2025 to help the Crimson Tide sweep North Dakota State and did it again in 2026 as Alabama opened the Frisco Baseball Classic against Iowa. Over three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Lebron delivered 46 homers.
JUSTIN LEBRON GRAND SLAM pic.twitter.com/KCfEnQvClZ — Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) August 16, 2026 Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Former Alabama baseball star Justin Lebron flashes early in pros with grand slam