Pittsburgh Pirates select outfielder Derek Curiel in first round of 2026 First-Year Player draft
Updated: 3:56 PM EDT Jul 11, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they’ve selected outfielder Derek Curiel in the first round of the 2026 First-Year Player Draft. In a release Saturday, the organization said Curiel was selected out of Louisiana State University with the fifth overall selection. “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,” Pirates Senior Vice President, Assistant General Manager Kevan Graves, said in the release. “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.”The 21-year-old Curiel, who was an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner after committing only two errors in 134 total chances (.985 fielding percentage) as a sophomore in 2026, also hit .353 (82-for-232) with 18 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 46 RBI, 34 walks, 13 stolen bases, a .957 OPS and 64 runs scored in 58 games during his second season with the Tigers, the release continued. He was an All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection, while also being selected to the conference’s All-Defensive Team.The Pirates said Curiel hit a combined .349 (171-for-490) with 38 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 101 RBI, 16 stolen bases, 87 walks, a .975 OPS and 131 runs scored in 126 games during his two seasons at LSU. The organization continued, saying he made just two errors over 232 total chances (.991 fielding percentage) in two years with the Tigers. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they’ve selected outfielder Derek Curiel in the first round of the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
In a release Saturday, the organization said Curiel was selected out of Louisiana State University with the fifth overall selection.
“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,” Pirates Senior Vice President, Assistant General Manager Kevan Graves, said in the release. “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.”
The 21-year-old Curiel, who was an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner after committing only two errors in 134 total chances (.985 fielding percentage) as a sophomore in 2026, also hit .353 (82-for-232) with 18 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 46 RBI, 34 walks, 13 stolen bases, a .957 OPS and 64 runs scored in 58 games during his second season with the Tigers, the release continued.
He was an All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection, while also being selected to the conference’s All-Defensive Team.
The Pirates said Curiel hit a combined .349 (171-for-490) with 38 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 101 RBI, 16 stolen bases, 87 walks, a .975 OPS and 131 runs scored in 126 games during his two seasons at LSU.
The organization continued, saying he made just two errors over 232 total chances (.991 fielding percentage) in two years with the Tigers.
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