​The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Derek Curiel, a standout LSU outfielder, with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Curiel had been steadily climbing draft boards and was generating strong buzz as a potential top-five selection as the event approached. ESPN’s final mock had him going seventh overall, illustrating how consistently he was viewed as a premium talent.
Curiel is widely regarded as one of the most polished hitters in this draft class. Last season at LSU, he slashed .353 over 58 games, adding 6 homers and 46 RBIs. He boasted an impressive on-base percentage of .431, a slugging percentage of .526, and an OPS of .957, along with 13 stolen bases. While some scouts question how much additional power Curiel can develop, his bat skills are undeniable, and his overall package carries significant upside.
Scouting grades place Curiel as a well-rounded hitter with a finished approach and strong contact skills: Hit 60, Power 45, Run 55, Arm 45, Field 55, and an Overall grade of 55. His background includes a path that started with high expectations at powerhouse Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High School, where he was anticipated to be a first-round pick. He didn’t perform up to those early hopes in his final showcase summer and senior season, which led him to withdraw from the 2024 Draft and enroll at LSU. There, he became the leading hitter on a College World Series championship team as a freshman, posting .345/.470/.519, and then batted .390 in the NCAA tournament. In 2026, as a sophomore eligible for the draft, he has continued to deliver similar numbers and has demonstrated the ability to play center field.
Physically, Curiel is a lean left-handed hitter with exceptional bat-to-ball skills and a smooth, mature approach that allows him to spray hard line drives to all fields. While his swing can be considered somewhat flat and his strength or bat speed may not be above average, limiting his home run upside to roughly 12–15 per season, scouts still compare his earlier trajectory to Christian Yelich. They remain skeptical about Curiel’s potential for the same power gains Yelich achieved over time, but they are confident in his ability to impact games with contact, speed, and defensive versatility.
Defensively, Curiel’s future in center field is viewed more favorably than a move to left. He showcases solid speed, excellent instincts, and the ability to track balls up the middle, which supports a long-term center-field home. His arm is considered fringe but playable in center field, reinforcing the projection that he can handle premium defensive work in center.
In terms of background and upside, Curiel is described as a draft-eligible sophomore who starred for two seasons in Baton Rouge. He hit .345 as a freshman and .353 as a sophomore, with the ability to handle upper-velocity pitching. While his speed sits slightly above average, his instincts in center are exceptional, and he should be able to corner a regular role in the majors. His power upside remains a topic of debate, having produced 13 home runs across LSU’s two-season span and posting a lower OPS in SEC play. He stands 6-2 and lean, with the potential for projectable power as he continues to develop.
Why the Pirates took Curiel with the fifth pick is tied to the blend of risk and reward that Curiel presents. While there was chatter around high-upside high school prospects such as Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr., Pittsburgh chose the higher-floor option in SEC performer Curiel. He is an outfielder with a clear trajectory toward contributing in the majors soon, particularly at a position of need for the Pirates. His athleticism, contact skills, and defensive versatility should enable him to reach Pittsburgh relatively quickly, where he can add depth and stability to the lineup and provide a platform for further growth as he matures as a hitter.
From a broader SEO vantage point, Curiel’s profile aligns with several recurring topics that tend to drive search interest around top prospects: his draft position and team, LSU standout performance, the trajectory from high school to college to the pros, and his potential to play center field at the next level. Articles that emphasize Curiel’s strong LSU debut, his solid on-base skills, his speed on the bases, and his defensive versatility are likely to attract readers seeking insights into the Pirates’ draft strategy and Curiel’s long-term projection in MLB.
Overall, Curiel’s selection by the Pirates signals a measured approach by Pittsburgh: invest in a high-floor, well-rounded college hitter who can contribute sooner rather than later, while still offering a ceiling for continued development in power and overall impact as his professional career unfolds.