The Pittsburgh Pirates made the first surprise pick of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on Saturday by selecting LSU All-American Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick.
Curiel missed playing with former LSU star Paul Skenes by two seasons, but if he moves quickly through Pittsburgh's minor league system, the two could eventually become teammates.
Mock projections had Curiel coming off the board between the 7th and 15th overall picks.
Pittsburgh clearly valued Curiel's elite bat-to-ball skills, plate discipline, and defensive ability in center field.
He’s known for sending text messages to LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson during all hours of the night, discussing his plate appearances, the adjustments he’s working on and just about anything related to hitting.
“Derek is elite at so many things that will translate to professional baseball,” Johnson said. “He has terrific plate discipline, the highest-level ability to make contact, and he is an elite defensive center fielder.”
“The last two years at LSU has been a dream,” Curiel said after he was selected by the Pirates. “Now that it’s over, I am going to always remember the great times I had there, the development I had as a person and as a player, so very grateful forever in debt to LSU.”
Curiel had a sensational two-year career at LSU. He was named the D1 Baseball National Freshman of the Year in 2025 as he hit a team-high .345 with 20 doubles, seven homers, 55 RBI and 67 runs as the Tigers won the NCAA College World Series.
Prior to the 2026 season, Curiel broke his ankle in November, leading to early-season struggles. But the California native ended up hitting for a higher average than his freshman season at .353 with six home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.
Curiel hit just 13 home runs in two seasons at LSU, leaving some scouts wondering whether he'll develop more power as a professional.
Curiel's elite contact skills are among the best in this draft class. He consistently controls the strike zone, rarely chases pitches, and makes hard contact to all fields. Scouts believe additional power could develop as he matures physically.
Curiel joins an organization that is on the rise in the National League Central. The Pirates have a 47-47 record and have one of the top offenses in Major League Baseball.
Pittsburgh also has one of the top minor league systems in baseball. It includes one of Curiel’s former teammates at LSU, Jared Jones. The “Bear” is hitting well in High-A ball, batting .322 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Jones is still struggling with strikeouts, 64 in 180 at-bats.
If Curiel's elite contact skills translate to professional baseball as scouts expect, he could move through Pittsburgh's farm system quickly and eventually join Skenes at the major league level.
