Pirates sign outfielder Derek Curiel, their 2026 first-round pick

(Credit for Photo: Caption for Photo: Pirates first round draft pick Derek Curiel smiles during a press conference after signing with the team on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed their 2026 first-round pick, Derek Curiel.

A press conference was held in Pittsburgh yesterday after Curiel signed his contract.

According to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, his deal is worth $6.2 million.

The twenty-one-year-old Curiel is an outfielder who played for LSU in center field and was selected 5th overall by the Pirates in this year’s draft.

Curiel slashed .349/.452/.522, along with earning 38 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs and 101 RBIs in 126 games over two seasons for the LSU Tigers, who won the 2025 College World Series championship.