​With the fifth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Derek Curiel, an outfielder from the LSU Tigers. Curiel stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 192 pounds, presenting one of the more polished offensive profiles in this class. His game is anchored by advanced contact ability, strong exit velocities, and a sturdy, athletic frame that suggests continued power development as he matures. This blend of hitting proficiency and physical projection gives Curiel the upside of a middle-of-the-order impact bat for the Pirates.
A West Covina, California native, Curiel attended Orange Lutheran High School. In 2024, Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 10 overall high school player in the country and the second-best high school player in California. During his senior season, he hit .314 with 33 hits, including 10 doubles, drove in 21 runs, and swiped 19 bases. His early promise only continued to grow as he advanced through the ranks of amateur baseball.
Curiel’s résumé is studded with prestigious honors. He was a two-time member of the 18-U USA National Team and a four-time High School All-American. Perfect Game named him Player of the Year in both 2020 and 2023, underscoring the consistency of his performance and his elite standing among his peers.
In college, Curiel further established himself as a standout performer for LSU. In 2025, he started all 68 games for the Tigers, appearing primarily in left field (62 games), with three games in center field and three at designated hitter. He batted .345 for the year, tying for the team lead with 20 doubles and also contributing 2 triples, 7 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 67 runs scored. Curiel played a pivotal role in LSU’s NCAA College World Series run, helping the Tigers reach the National Championship. In NCAA Tournament play, he led LSU’s hitters with a .390 average (16-for-41), including 4 doubles, 1 home run, 10 RBIs, and 13 runs. He earned a spot on the College World Series All-Tournament Team after posting a .316/.316 average across his CWS plate appearances, with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
Perfect Game has consistently lauded Curiel’s potential. They described him as a tall, lean prospect with substantial projection remaining in his frame. His speed, clocking a 6.61-second 60-yard dash, enables him to play center field with ease thanks to his natural instincts and athleticism. His left-handed swing is characterized as loose and direct, generating length through the zone. Curiel is praised for an all-fields approach and the ability to handle velocity, signaling the potential for a high-quality hit tool as he develops. He is viewed as a high-ceiling prospect whose best baseball is still ahead of him as he matures, and he has been recognized as a top-level talent ready to contribute at the next level.
Curiel’s list of accolades is extensive. In 2026, he was ranked No. 1 on Perfect Game’s Top 100 Sophomores. Baseball America placed him No. 8 among its Top 200 MLB Draft Prospects for the same year. The 2025 season earned him the D1 Baseball National Freshman of the Year and a spot on the College World Series All-Tournament Team. He garnered multiple All-American recognitions from ABCA and Baseball America (First-Team Freshman All-American by D1 Baseball, Baseball America, NCBWA, and Perfect Game) and appeared on the ABCA Second-Team All-American list. His performances helped LSU reach critical postseason milestones, including the Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team in 2025, and he earned All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC honors, among others. He even received academic and regional honors, including the ABCA First-Team All-South Region and the SEC Academic Honor Roll, reflecting his well-rounded contributions both on the field and in the classroom.
As Curiel begins his professional journey with the Pirates, he arrived in Pittsburgh as one of the most compelling talents in the 2026 draft class. His combination of advanced hitting ability, athletic defense in the outfield, and growing power upside makes him a standout prospect with the potential to impact the Pirates lineup in multiple ways. Curiel’s track record of success at the high school and college levels, along with his tangible physical tools and a proven ability to perform in high-pressure postseason settings, position him as a player to watch as he progresses through the minor leagues and moves closer to contributing at the major league level.