Derek Curiel, the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $6.2 million, below the slot value of $8,336,500. He excelled at LSU, winning a National Championship and achieving impressive stats, including a .345 batting average as a freshman and .353 as a sophomore, despite a broken ankle affecting his early season. Curiel’s decision to forgo the 2024 draft, where he was projected lower, paid off significantly. He is now recognized as an All-American and National Freshman of the Year.
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Derek Curiel signs with the Pirates
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