PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the second time in four years the Pirates go to LSU for a first-round pick, left-handed hitting outfielder Derek Curiel goes fifth overall.
The 21-year-old is 6’2”, 192 pounds and his highest grade from MLB.com is for his hitting, although not a power bat. The comparable is Brewers star Christian Yelich although there is a lot of skepticism about his power potential. The California native has a lower rated arm, but has the speed to over the field according to MLB.com. He hit .345 as a freshman at LSU and last year hit .353 with a .957 OPS. His career on-base percentage .452 with 38 doubles and 13 home runs.
High school shortstop Jacob Lombard was the highest-rated prospect at the time, Curiel was ranked 12th.
Curiel's father is a police officer in California and he attended the same high school as Gerrit Cole.
Pirates 1st round picks since 2020 (not including compensatory selections)
- INF Nick Gonzales (7th overall)
- C Henry Davis (1st overall)
- INF Termarr Johnson (4th overall)
- RHP Paul Skenes (1st overall)
- SS Konnor Griffin (9th overall)
- RHP Seth Hernandez (6th overall)
What MLB.com said about the left-handed hitter
What MLB.com said about the left-handed hitter
