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The 2026 MLB Draft is looming and LSU baseball could see yet another one of its players selected in the first round. Derek Curiel, after two seasons in Baton Rouge, is projected to be an early pick.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel predicted the Arizona Diamondbacks would select Curiel at No. 15 overall. He is projected to be the fourth outfielder off the board and fifth-highest draft pick out of the SEC.
"The D-backs tend to lean to position players, specifically lefty-hitting hit-first types at up-the-middle positions, so I'll lean into that in this glut of similarly valued players," McDaniel said. "Curiel can hit and play multiple outfield positions and has enough power but doesn't pull/lift enough; he has a high floor and medium upside."
Curiel didn't commit to leaving LSU for the MLB but if he gets selected in the top 20, he will likely be off to play professional baseball. He raked in his two seasons with the Tigers and played multiple outfield positions.
As a freshman, Curiel batted leadoff and played left field while leading LSU to its second national championship in three years. He earned multiple freshman player of the year and All-American honors then took another step forward in 2026.
Over his two years donning the purple and gold, Curiel slashed .349 with a .975 OPS and .522 slugging percentage. He totaled 171 hits, 131 runs scored and 101 RBI.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball's Derek Curiel projected among top draft picks
Continue reading...
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel predicted the Arizona Diamondbacks would select Curiel at No. 15 overall. He is projected to be the fourth outfielder off the board and fifth-highest draft pick out of the SEC.
"The D-backs tend to lean to position players, specifically lefty-hitting hit-first types at up-the-middle positions, so I'll lean into that in this glut of similarly valued players," McDaniel said. "Curiel can hit and play multiple outfield positions and has enough power but doesn't pull/lift enough; he has a high floor and medium upside."
Curiel didn't commit to leaving LSU for the MLB but if he gets selected in the top 20, he will likely be off to play professional baseball. He raked in his two seasons with the Tigers and played multiple outfield positions.
As a freshman, Curiel batted leadoff and played left field while leading LSU to its second national championship in three years. He earned multiple freshman player of the year and All-American honors then took another step forward in 2026.
Over his two years donning the purple and gold, Curiel slashed .349 with a .975 OPS and .522 slugging percentage. He totaled 171 hits, 131 runs scored and 101 RBI.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball's Derek Curiel projected among top draft picks
Continue reading...
