​The MLB Draft is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, opening with rounds one through four. In the final hours before the event, several reputable outlets released their last mock drafts, and one former LSU Baseball standout appears increasingly positioned for a first-round selection. Derek Curiel has landed inside the top 15 in projections from both ESPN and The Athletic, underscoring the consensus that he will be chosen early in the first round. This near-consensus status has persisted throughout the lead-up to the draft, and it remains intact as the big day approaches.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel places Curiel at No. 11 overall, projecting him to be selected by the Washington Nationals. That pick would make Curiel the third outfielder off the board in McDaniel’s scenario. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Keith Law has Curiel at No. 15 overall, with the Arizona Diamondbacks anticipated to snag him. If that projection comes to fruition, Curiel would be the fourth outfielder chosen in the first round.
Curiel departs Baton Rouge after two notable seasons in which he demonstrated versatility and consistent production. He served as the primary left fielder as a freshman and transitioned to center field as a sophomore, all while maintaining a position among LSU’s top offensive hitters. Over his LSU career, Curiel compiled a .349 batting average with a .975 OPS, recording 171 hits, 131 runs, and 101 RBIs, underscoring his well-rounded skills as a hitter and defensive contributor.
This report originated on LSU Wire, highlighting the final mock draft projections for Derek Curiel as the college star eyes a potential first-round landing. As the draft unfolds, Curiel’s proven track record and draft-day expectations position him as a compelling value pick for teams seeking a strong, versatile outfielder with a proven college pedigree.