Derek

Curiel

Curiel, the fifth overall selection from the draft, signs for $6.2 million — well under the $8,336,500 slot value for the pick. That was the plan all along by the Pirates, who then went over-slot on each of their next four picks. The 21-year-old outfielder slashed a healthy .349/.431/.526 over 126 games in his two seasons at LSU.

Curiel put together two solid seasons with LSU while hitting .349/.431/.526 over 126 games, and many believe there’s more offensive upside to be unlocked. His swing is conducive to hitting line drives to all parts of the field, but there’s a belief that adding some loft to his stroke will allow him to tap into his raw power, as he hit just 13 homers over his 126 games with the Tigers over 597 plate appearances. He’s an above-average runner, and it’s plausible he’ll be able to steal 25-plus bags while potentially getting to a similar homer total with those adjustments. He doesn’t profile as a future star, but it’s not hard to see him contributing in several categories with a skill set that suggests he could hit at the top of a lineup.