League: MLB Sport: Baseball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Pittsburgh Pirates select LSU outfielder Derek Curiel with fifth pick

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 6:26 PM

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates select LSU outfielder Derek Curiel with fifth pick

Summary

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted LSU outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11. Curiel, a standout during his college career, is the first player from LSU selected in this draft. He compiled strong offensive numbers, batting.349 and driving in 101 runs over two seasons. Known for his advanced contact ability and athletic build, Curiel is viewed as a promising prospect with potential power development as he begins his professional career.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Derek Curiel was a key player for LSU, leading them to a national championship.
•He batted.349 with a.975 OPS in his college career.
•Curiel was a first-team All-American and NCAA Tournament standout.
•His selection continues the Pirates' strategy of drafting from LSU.

Latest Updates

6:26 PMYahoo Sports — Pittsburgh Pirates picks LSU baseball star Derek Curiel in first round
6:19 PMYahoo Sports — After selecting him 5th in the MLB Draft, what are the Pittsburgh Pirates getting from LSU’s Derek Curiel?

What they're saying