The 2026 MLB Draft will kick off at noon Central Time on Saturday, marking the start of rounds one through four, which set the stage for the next wave of talent to enter professional baseball.
Among the prospects generating the most buzz is Derek Curiel, a former LSU standout whose collegiate career was defined by a .349 batting average, a .975 OPS, 171 hits, 131 runs scored and 101 RBI.
Draft Projections
Analysts have placed Curiel squarely in the first round, with ESPN projecting the Washington Nationals will select him at the 11th overall slot, while The Athletic forecasts a 15th‑overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Both ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and The Athletic’s Keith Law have echoed the sentiment, labeling Curiel as a high‑first‑round talent and highlighting his versatility after he started as a freshman left‑fielder before moving to center field as a sophomore.
Curiel’s combination of power, speed and plate discipline has made him a focal point for teams looking to bolster their outfield depth, and his eventual landing spot could reshape the early draft narrative.