Baseball America dropped its initial rankings of 2026 MLB draft prospects on Friday. LSU baseball’s Derek Curiel was slotted at No. 4.
The centerfielder is the second-highest player in the SEC. Curiel put together a stellar freshman season in Baton Rouge, becoming the team’s everyday left fielder and often occupying the leadoff spot.
Ahead of his first season of college baseball, Curiel earned multiple preseason freshman of the year honors, and he lived up to the hype. He led the team with a .345 batting average, .470 on-base percentage, 20 doubles, while finishing tied for first with 67 runs and second with 89 hits.
Curiel started his career on a six-game hit streak and a 43-game on-base streak. He displayed a veteran presence at the plate all season, coming through in big postseason moments and staying patient against some of the nation’s best pitchers.
These are the best college prospects in the 2026 class 💪
1. Roch Cholowsky, @UCLABaseball
2. Liam Peterson, @GatorsBB
3. Caden Bogenpohl, @MissouriStBears
4. Derek Curiel, @LSUbaseball
5. Justin Lebron, @AlabamaBSBhttps://t.co/vecxh88Z7Gpic.twitter.com/4H55fBQ3b8— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 16, 2025
Should Curiel record a similar season in 2026, he would continue climbing draft boards.
Here are the top five from Baseball America’s 2026 MLB draft prospects.
- Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
- Liam Peterson, Florida
- Caden Bogenpohl, Missouri State
- Derek Curiel, LSU
- Justin Lebron, Alabama
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Where LSU baseball’s Derek Curiel ranks on first 2026 MLB Draft board?