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Started By
Message
re: Curiel goes #5 to the Pirates!!
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:42 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:42 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
I’m going to go to his first start as a Pirate in Pittsburgh. Can’t wait.
Congratulations DC.
LSU OF Curiel drafted 5th overall by Pirates Pirates
2:52 PM EDT
Congratulations DC.
LSU OF Curiel drafted 5th overall by Pirates Pirates
2:52 PM EDT
quote:
With the fifth selection in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Pirates selected outfielder Derek Curiel out of LSU. Curiel is the first college bat Pittsburgh has selected with its top pick since taking Henry Davis in 2021.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 Draft prospect, Curiel was the first player drafted in 2026 from the powerhouse LSU program.
In recent years, the Tigers have produced standout prospects such as Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews -- who went first and second in the 2023 Draft -- and Kade Anderson, the third overall pick in the 2025 Draft by the Mariners. Curiel could be the next LSU player headed for stardom.
quote:
Curiel could rise through the ranks quickly. The pick was a bit of a surprise, as many mock drafts leading up to the Draft had Pittsburgh expected to take Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora.
When Flora went fourth to the Giants, the Pirates had the choice between multiple college and high school bats. Ultimately, they went with the experienced Curiel.
quote:
The 6-foot-2, 192-pound outfielder was once considered a first-round pick out of high school in Southern California, but he decided to forgo the 2024 Draft after a subpar senior season.
After two years at LSU, he has proven himself as one of the best pure hitters in the Draft class, batting .349 with a .975 OPS in two seasons with the Tigers.
Just a sophomore -- eligible for the Draft by virtue of turning 21 in May -- in 2026, Curiel led his team in batting average (.353), runs (64) and hits (82) while trying for the team lead in total bases (122). He also has plus speed, stealing a team-high 13 bases in just 15 attempts.
quote:
Home runs aren’t Curiel’s calling card (he hit just six homers in 232 at-bats for LSU in 2026), but scouts hope he can tap into more power as he enters the professional ranks.
That might be hard without exceptional strength or bat speed, as Curiel’s ceiling may be limited to 12-15 homers per year.
He has drawn comparisons to Christian Yelich at the start of Yelich’s career -- before the current Brewers star broke out with 36 homers in an MVP 2018 season and 44 more in ‘19.
This post was edited on 7/11/26 at 3:12 pm
0
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:44 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Oh, he's coming back! I'll bet anyone here $100 monopoly money that he is definitely coming back.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:50 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Poor guy, except for the money.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:52 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Love Curiel but how in the world did he get selected 5?
I’m shocked by extremely happy.
I’m shocked by extremely happy.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 2:55 pm to AA77
He can stay one more year . If he changes that walkout, song.. It was horrible
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:19 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Holy shizzle…
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:24 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
cant imagine it is full slot but going to be a nice payday for the young man. I wish every player hustled like he does
At 5th overall and a sophomore (i.e. legit negotiating power), it could be overslot if anything.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:32 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
Damn, didn’t think it would be that high.
frick the draftable sophomore rule with an AIDS cactus.
Silver lining, should be run support for Skenes before long.
frick the draftable sophomore rule with an AIDS cactus.
Silver lining, should be run support for Skenes before long.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:32 pm to xrockfordf150x
quote:
Kade was the #3 pick. Berry was 6 I believe.
Oops.
I was so focused on trying to reever if Berry went 5 or 6 that I completely forgot Kade. That’s on me. 
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:41 pm to Broski
quote:
At 5th overall and a sophomore (i.e. legit negotiating power), it could be overslot if anything.
zero chance
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:44 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
At 5th overall and a sophomore (i.e. legit negotiating power), it could be overslot if anything.
zero chance
It sure wont be under slot cowboy
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:46 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
zero chance
Lol ok Lester
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:51 pm to WarBoudin
Yes
DC would be crazy to come back unless he just solely wanted more college experience. That's it. Money wise and career wise it makes no sense coming back to LSU next year.
DC would be crazy to come back unless he just solely wanted more college experience. That's it. Money wise and career wise it makes no sense coming back to LSU next year.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:57 pm to CDawson
I do think this is surprising. Not hammering him at all because he does have potential to grow into more power with his frame but my question with scouts is what do they see in him over someone like Brown who has more tools at this level. He might be faster than Curiel, definitely has more power already, and showed he can have very high potential batting especially against righties. He seemed to improve against lefties this year. Brown has a good arm as well. Curiel is an excellent contact hitter and being that he's only sophomore I think that helps his stock. Do they think he just doesn't have as much to left to grow into power for Brown? Anyways, grats to Curiel well deserved. 
This post was edited on 7/11/26 at 4:00 pm
Posted on 7/11/26 at 3:59 pm to Double Oh
quote:
It sure wont be under slot cowboy
If them he weren’t taking an underslot deal, they wouldn’t have picked him there.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 4:12 pm to Broski
Curiel had regularly been just outside of that top 10 tier. Usually around 12-20.
They didn't draft him at 1.5 to pay him over the slot. He does not really have anything to bargain. He's still going to make more money than he probably imagined he would.
They didn't draft him at 1.5 to pay him over the slot. He does not really have anything to bargain. He's still going to make more money than he probably imagined he would.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 4:44 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
One of my favorite tigers.....
Posted on 7/11/26 at 4:51 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
quote:
Curiel goes #5 to the Pirates!!
Posted on 7/11/26 at 4:56 pm to bleedpurpleandgold23
You go #5 overall; how many picks more higher could you improve on that?
I’ll give you a minute or two to figure it out….
He’s gone & good luck!
I’ll give you a minute or two to figure it out….
He’s gone & good luck!
Posted on 7/11/26 at 5:09 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
cant imagine it is full slot
You're probably right, but perhaps this is a discussion for a later time. Let's just be happy for him in the moment
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