Pirates Draft LSU Outfielder Derek Curiel With 5th Overall Pick
PITTSBURGH — With the fifth overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft, the Pirates selected LSU outfielder Derek Curiel.
“Derek is an exciting addition to our organization and someone who we believe has the talent, character and work ethic to make a meaningful impact,” said Pirates Senior Vice President, Assistant General Manager Kevan Graves. “He is a well-rounded, athletic player with an advanced approach at the plate, exceptional bat-to-ball skills and the ability to impact the game in all facets.”
A Third-Team All-America and Second-Team All-SEC selection, the 21-year-old Curiel slashed .353/.431/.526 with 18 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 46 RBIs and 13 steals in 58 games as a sophomore this past season for the Tigers.
Curiel, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s 12th-best prospect available in this year’s draft class, was named the 2025 National Freshman of the Year after batting .345/.470/.519 with 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 55 RBIs and three stolen bases. He batted .390 during the NCAA tournament and led the Tigers to a College World Series championship.
Curiel, who is listed at 6-2 and 192 pounds, was one of three outfielders on the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove team for NCAA Division I as a sophomore.
“His accomplishments in the SEC speak for themselves, but what stood out just as much throughout the evaluation process was the person,” Graves said. “Derek is also an outstanding teammate, relentlessly driven to improve and a fierce competitor who is committed to being the best version of himself every day. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Pirates organization.”
A native of West Covina, Calif., Curiel was a standout player for Orange Lutheran, the same high school that produced Gerrit Cole, who was selected by the Pirates with the first pick out of UCLA in the 2011 draft.
The slot value for the fifth pick is $8,336,500.
This marks the third time the Pirates have taken a college hitter Ben Cherington, joining Nick Gonzales (7th overall, 2020) and Henry Davis (1st overall, 2021).
Here’s how the first five picks of the draft unfolded:
- White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
- Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Texas (High School)
- Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
- Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
- Pirates: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
How does this address the pitching?
I think they want our #1 to sign below slot. We signed Chandler and Jones from the draft who both have immense potential, but that was a different time. Pitching should have been addressed by sending the competitive balance pick, Terrmar (who is now blocked, if only he would improve his hitting to reach the “one of the best pure hitters monicker he was assigned” when we drafted him so high) behind Lowe and one or two organizational top 10-20 prospects for a reliever. Soto nearly blew the lead today in the 9th following the Valdez (lol, suddenly remembering Willie Stargell, and hoping he sustains his immense power show so far). The starters, I am sure, have no faith in the bullpen. Mlodzinski and Sisk have been the only reliable relievers. If the Padres want to unload by making the trade above, and deliver us Mason Miller, closer, then by all means.