What happened: The Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Derek Curiel out of LSU with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Curiel was ranked No. 12 on the Top 250 draft prospects list heading into the selection.

Why it matters: The pick continues Pittsburgh's recent run of drafting LSU talent and adds outfield depth to a farm system the front office has leaned on while the big-league roster sits at 47-47 with a two-game losing streak. It comes the same day the club reshaped its 40-man mix, adding infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-hander Brandon Eisert in a trade with the White Sox.

What to watch: Curiel now enters Pittsburgh's player-development pipeline; how quickly he moves through the minors will be the next thing to track.