Former Don Bosco baseball star Eric Becker drafted by Cincinnati Reds

Eric Becker has made an impact at every stop along his baseball journey.

From starring at Don Bosco Prep, where he earned All-State honors twice, to continuing his success on the college ranks, the Thiells, New York, native consistently proved he had the talent to compete at the highest level.

It seemed only a matter of time before Becker earned an opportunity to play professionally.

On July 11, the University of Virginia junior was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the No. 18th pick of the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft.

The shortstop was the No. 58 overall pick after entering the draft ranked as the No. 41-ranked prospect by MLB.com.

Becker is the 17th Don Bosco player drafted and the third in the last four years. His brother, Nicky, was selected by the Seattle Mariners with the No. 14 pick of the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Becker’s former high school teammate, Caden Dana, was picked by the Los Angeles Angels in the 11th round in 2022.

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Becker is the area’s highest-drafted player this century since Kyle Teel of Mahwah and the University of Virginia went in the first round to the Boston Red Sox in 2023 with the 14th pick overall and Rob Kaminsky of St. Joseph who went in the first round to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 with the 28th pick overall.

Becker was a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ lineup this past spring, compiling a career .348 batting average with 177 hits, 75 extra-base hits and 24 home runs. This past season the left-handed batter hit .317 with 42 RBIs and seven home runs despite missing 13 games with a hand injury.

According to recent scouting reports, Becker’s offensive profile is built around a disciplined approach and elite bat-to-ball skills. He consistently controls the strike zone, rarely expands it, and makes opposing pitchers pay when they leave pitches over the plate. His advanced feel, combined with his ability to drive the baseball to all fields, has made him one of the more reliable offensive performers in the ACC throughout his career.

At Don Bosco, Becker was a career .378 hitter with 76 hits, 76 runs, 66 RBIs, 18 doubles, 11 triples and 10 home runs. He helped guide the Ironmen to two Bergen County and two sectional titles his junior and senior seasons.