It was the top of the ninth inning in Game 2 of the “Iron Bowl of Baseball” between Alabama and Auburn.
The Tigers were up 5-4, taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and looking to keep momentum in the series after dismantling the Crimson Tide 10-0 in Game 1.
Auburn pitcher Carson Myers had given up a leadoff double and was looking to bear down and lock up the win for the Tigers. But as he got settled back on the mound, he saw someone walking up to the plate whom no pitcher wants to see.
It was infielder Justin Lebron.
Play-by-play commentator Dave Neal said the Tigers should consider walking him, even though it would put the winning run on base. Auburn didn’t, and on the second pitch of the at-bat, Lebron homered to left field and put the Crimson Tide up 6-5 in a lead the team would not relinquish.
“That just might be the best ballplayer in America,” Neal said.
The home run didn’t come as much of a shock to Neal, and it shouldn’t be a shock to most. As of Sunday, Lebron is tied for third in the country with 15 homers and is the nation’s leader with 58 RBIs, and that is why Neal, among others, thinks he is a top player in baseball.
Lebron was one of 45 NCAA players put on the midseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award given to the best player in college baseball. Many consider him the favorite for the prestigious award.
Lebron first discovered his love for baseball when he was 3 years old and living in the Bronx, New York. His family moved to Miramar, Florida, when he was 4, and he later played baseball at Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School.
He performed stellarly in his senior campaign, hitting .412 with 10 doubles and 12 stolen bases. Coming out of high school, he was a top-200 recruit and was originally committed to playing baseball at Rice before his senior year, but he ultimately signed with Alabama.
“Coming to Alabama, in the SEC, you get the best of the best,” Lebron said on the New Wave Podcast. “You get training and really good coaches, so you get better and play with better competition. You come here to win national championships.”
Lebron then took the college baseball world by storm in his freshman campaign, hitting .356 with a 1.003 OPS and slugging 12 homers while swiping 10 stolen bases. Though the 6-1 shortstop was nervous heading into the season, he quickly settled in and started all 57 games.
“Going into the season, it was a little nerve-wracking. You’re a freshman. You’re a lot smaller than all these dudes who are like 6-5, 220,” Lebron said. “But I was just ready to play ball.”
Following his remarkable season, Lebron was named first-team All-SEC and was a freshman first-team All-American. He didn’t just bring it with the bat, as he was also a member of the SEC All-Defensive team.
When his teammates and coaches were asked to use one word to describe Lebron heading into the season, the word “superstar” came up. He was also called a “five-tool player,” someone who excels at every facet of the game.
“If there’s a sixth tool, he’s got that one, too,” team captain Kade Snell said.
This season, Lebron has ascended to become one of the best players in the country and has been the driving force behind an Alabama team that is 29-8 and ranked No. 15 in the nation. He leads the Crimson Tide in several offensive categories, including OPS, with a 1.173 mark.
Head coach Rob Vaughn said Lebron plays the part of superstar very well, citing his “Swiss Army knife” ability and overall talent, but also noted the player he is off the field. Lebron is the favorite player of Vaughn’s 4-year-old son.
“He is exactly what you want the face of your program to look like,” Vaughn said. “Unbelievable student, great teammate, great leader, elite player and he’s my kid’s favorite player. Just the way he is with people is awesome.”
Given his track record as an elite shortstop over his first two seasons and the fact that he appears just to be getting started, Lebron has been profiled as a top prospect in the 2026 MLB draft. Due to college rules, the sophomore won’t be able to enter the draft until after next season.
Vaughn likes his chances at going high in the draft, citing Lebron’s character and elite play.
“Scouts are going to sit down with him. Front office people are going to sit down with him,” Vaughn said. “He’s the type of human they’re going to want to invest in, and Justin will check every single box.”
When Lebron steps up to the batters’ box with his walk-up song, “Ain’t It Fun?” by Paramore, Crimson Tide fans feel confident, having fun and knowing they’re witnessing one of the superstars in college baseball.
For opposing pitchers, it is anything but fun.
