2026 MLB Draft Profile: Derek Curiel

[Hector Rodriguez]

Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Fish On First brings you a series of scouting reports on top prospects in this draft class who could realistically wind up in Miami.

 

Overview

Position: OF

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 192 pounds

School: LSU

Derek Curiel is a 6’2”, 192-pound outfielder who plays for the LSU Tigers. Curiel has been an excellent hitter since he arrived on campus at LSU. He’s one of the best prospects and the top-ranked draft-eligible sophomore in this draft class.

Coming out of high school, Curiel was an elite-level prospect from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. On Perfect Game, Curiel was the tenth-ranked prospect and the sixth-ranked outfielder in the Class of 2024. He was also the second-ranked prospect and the #1 outfielder out of the Golden State. Curiel went undrafted and honored his commitment to LSU.

During his freshman season, Curiel earned a starting role and immediately became one of the top hitters in all of college baseball. Curiel played and started in all 63 games. He slashed .345/.470/.519 with 89 hits, 20 doubles, seven home runs, 55 RBIs, 53 walks, and a .990 OPS. Curiel was named the D1 Baseball National Freshman of the Year and was a First Team Freshman All-American.

In the 2026 season, Curiel continued to produce at a high level for the LSU Tigers. Curiel played and started in 58 games. He slashed .353/.431/.526 with 82 hits, eighteen doubles, six home runs, 46 RBIs, thirteen stolen bases, 34 walks, and a .957 OPS. Curiel was named a Third-Team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

At the plate, Curiel is one of the best pure-hitters in this draft class. He’s a left-handed hitter with a line drive swing. He can drive the ball with authority to all fields. His power is pretty limited due to his flat swing, and he still needs to fill in his frame.

Defensively, Curiel proved that he can play center field at the next level. He mostly played left field during his freshman year, but patrolled center this past season. He doesn’t have the best arm strength, but he’s a very good athlete who can track balls well in the outfield. He also has above-average speed, and that helps him with his range and base-stealing ability.

 

Strengths

• 60-grade hit tool
• Highly productive hitter at LSU
• Plus bat speed
• Projected to stick in CF
• Above-average speed

 

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t have much power
• Flat swing
• Below-average arm strength

 

Pro Comparison: Leonys Martín

Projection: Top 15 pick

 

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Bottom Line

Derek Curiel was a blue-chip high school prospect and a highly productive hitter during his two seasons at LSU. While he doesn’t possess much power, there’s some room for growth.

On ESPN and Baseball America, Curiel is the tenth-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Curiel is the 12th-ranked draft prospect and the third-ranked outfielder in this draft class.

The Marlins will have the 14th overall pick and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. Curiel would be an excellent option for the Fish and BA's Carlos Collazo writes that he might be "their preference" when it comes to first-round hitters, but he's unlikely to be on the board for them, if the industry's leading mock drafts are to be trusted.

 

 

More 2026 MLB draft profiles

• RHP Tegan Kuhns
• OF Sawyer Strosnider
• RHP Liam Peterson
• 3B Bo Lowrance
• LHP Hunter Dietz
• INF Tyler Bell
• INF Chris Hacopian
• LHP Brody Bumila
• OF Trevor Condon
• RHP Cade Townsend
• OF Drew Burress
• LHP Gio Rojas
• RHP Cameron Flukey
• OF Eric Booth Jr.
• 3B Ace Reese
• LHP Carson Bolemon
• RHP Jackson Flora
• INF Jacob Lombard
• OF AJ Gracia 

 

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