The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Louisiana State University outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick on July 11, 2026, anchoring a five-player haul during the opening day of the Major League Baseball Draft.
Curiel, who batted . 349 with a .
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975 OPS over two seasons at LSU, became the fourth Tigers player selected in the top five since 2023.
The sophomore outfielder led his collegiate team with a .
353 batting average, 82 hits, and 64 runs during the 2026 season while successfully stealing 13 bases in 15 attempts.
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MLB. com scouting grades described Curiel's defensive prowess as a "special center field."
Other Pirates Selections on Day One
Following Curiel, the Pirates drafted Stony Brook shortstop Aiden Ruiz in the second round, Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert at pick 51, North Carolina pitcher Jason DeCaro, and Nevada high school outfielder Andruw Giles.
DeCaro served as the ace for the College World Series runners-up at North Carolina, securing 11 victories to rank third in NCAA Division I before being taken 80th overall.
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The draft continued into Sunday for rounds 5 through 20, where the Pittsburgh franchise held the 140th overall selection with a designated slot value of $532,000.
