LSU OF Curiel drafted 5th overall by Pirates

With the fifth selection in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, the Pirates selected outfielder Derek Curiel out of LSU. Curiel is the first college bat Pittsburgh has selected with its top pick since taking Henry Davis in 2021.

MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 Draft prospect, Curiel was the first player drafted in 2026 from the powerhouse LSU program. In recent years, the Tigers have produced standout prospects such as Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews -- who went first and second in the 2023 Draft -- and Kade Anderson, the third overall pick in the 2025 Draft by the Mariners. Curiel could be the next LSU player headed for stardom.

“We had a great conversation. It was about 35 minutes, and I think there was love from both sides,” Curiel said over Zoom. “I'm so happy that [the Pirates] believe in me enough to pick me as their first choice in the first round. So it's a great blessing.”

Curiel could rise through the ranks quickly. The pick was a bit of a surprise, as many mock drafts leading up to the Draft had Pittsburgh expected to take Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora. When Flora went fourth to the Giants, the Pirates had the choice between multiple college and high school bats. Ultimately, they went with the experienced Curiel.

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound outfielder was once considered a first-round pick out of high school in Southern California, but he decided to forgo the 2024 Draft after a subpar senior season. After two years at LSU, he has proven himself as one of the best pure hitters in the Draft class, batting .349 with a .975 OPS in two seasons with the Tigers. Just a sophomore -- eligible for the Draft by virtue of turning 21 in May -- in 2026, Curiel led his team in batting average (.353), runs (64) and hits (82) while trying for the team lead in total bases (122). He also has plus speed, stealing a team-high 13 bases in just 15 attempts.

“Kind of gritty mentality -- kind of Pete Rose-style baseball,” Curiel said. “I like to get dirty. I like to dive at first. Like to make diving plays. Take the extra base when I can. Drag bunt, push bunt. Score runs on offense and save runs on defense is the best way I try to describe it, and I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Whether that's draw a walk, make a diving catch, whatever the game calls for, I try to do that.”

Curiel said his father is a huge Pete Rose fan and began showing him highlights of Charlie Hustle when he was around 5 years old. The play style has rubbed off on Curiel.

Home runs aren’t Curiel’s calling card (he hit just six homers in 232 at-bats for LSU in 2026), but scouts hope he can tap into more power as he enters the professional ranks. That might be hard without exceptional strength or bat speed, as Curiel’s ceiling may be limited to 12-15 homers per year. He has drawn comparisons to Christian Yelich at the start of Yelich’s career -- before the current Brewers star broke out with 36 homers in an MVP 2018 season and 44 more in ‘19.

Unlike Yelich, though, Curiel has the chance to stick in center field long term. He looked solid in center in 2026 after playing left field as a freshman at LSU, appearing much more comfortable tracking the ball up the middle. While Curiel doesn’t have a particularly strong arm, it’ll play in center field. His ability to play the position is particularly valuable given his offensive ceiling, as Curiel has strong bat-to-ball skills and a smooth stroke from the left side.