​The Pittsburgh Pirates selected former LSU baseball standout Derek Curiel with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, marking the first LSU Tiger to hear his name called in this draft. In the weeks leading up to the draft, multiple media outlets and scouts projected Curiel as a likely first-round talent, with many predicting he would land somewhere in the top 20. His selection at No. 5 surpassed several early-round forecasts and underscored the high regard in which he is held within scouting circles.
Curiel’s destination is a Pirates franchise that already has a notable LSU connection. In 2023, Pittsburgh drafted former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes No. 1 overall, and Skenes has since delivered three consecutive All-Star appearances. Curiel’s arrival gives the Pirates another LSU-trained player to help build a bridge between the college and professional levels, and it offers Curiel a platform to continue writing his own professional story within a familiar organizational culture.
Two years in Baton Rouge solidified Curiel’s reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars. He earned a daily role as a regular in the outfield, consistently placing himself near the top of the batting order. As a true freshman in 2025, Curiel batted leadoff and started in left field, helping LSU capture the national championship in that inaugural season. His impact extended beyond the win-loss column, signaling his potential to develop into a cornerstone hitter at the next level.
Curiel’s sophomore season further cemented his standing as one of college baseball’s brightest prospects. He continued to improve at the plate while patrolling center field, delivering steady production and demonstrating defensive versatility. Over his two-year college career with the Tigers, Curiel posted a .349 batting average, an impressive .975 OPS, 171 hits, 131 runs scored, and 101 RBIs. Those numbers reflect not only his hitting ability but also his speed on the bases and his capacity to contribute across multiple facets of the game.
The leap from LSU to the majors represents a significant step, but Curiel’s proven track record in college, combined with the Pirates’ prior experience in selecting LSU talent, bodes well for his transition. If his development continues on a trajectory similar to Skenes’—an athlete who adapted quickly to higher levels of competition and earned early All-Star recognition—Curiel could become a foundational piece of Pittsburgh’s lineup in the coming years. Scouts will be watching his adjustment period closely, evaluating how his bat speed, pitch recognition, and on-field instincts translate against higher-caliber pitching and extended-season demands.
In the broader scope of the 2026 MLB Draft, Curiel’s No. 5 selection highlights the enduring value teams see in LSU’s program as a pipeline to the majors. His background as a first-rate infielder in college outfield, combined with his athleticism and offensive potential, positions him as a player with a wide range of possible outcomes. For LSU fans, Curiel’s ascent to the majors continues to reaffirm the Tigers’ ability to produce high-caliber professional talent, contributing to the program’s growing legacy of shaping players who can compete at the sport’s highest levels.
This story originated with LSU Wire and was published to highlight the impact of Derek Curiel’s selection and his successful run at LSU, providing readers with deeper insight into his journey, the context of his selection, and what it could mean for his future in professional baseball.