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LSU baseball pledge, top-10 recruit, makes MLB Draft decision
By Andrew Olson
Published:
LSU baseball got some big news about its 2025 roster on Monday when Derek Curiel, a highly-rated outfielder committed to the Tigers, confirmed his plans to play for Jay Johnson’s squad next season.
Recruiting the top prospects can be tricky for college coaches. Players will commit to a college, but, for many, the real decision comes after the summer’s MLB Draft.
Curiel announced Monday on his Instagram account that he has withdrawn from the 2024 MLB Draft.
“After talks with my family, advisors, and loved ones I have formally withdrawn my name from the 2024 MLB Draft,” Curiel stated in a graphic posted to his social media accounts. “I will be enrolling early this summer at LSU. Can’t wait to get to work. See you soon Baton Rouge!!! Geaux Tigers”
A 6-2, 175-pound outfielder, Curiel is from West Covina, California and out of Orange Lutheran. Perfect Game rates him the No. 10 overall recruit in the Class of 2024.
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Curiel’s evaluation notes his 6.61 60-yard dash time. He has shown the tools and instincts to be a center fielder. He bats and throws left-handed, using a “loose” and “direct” swing at the plate that produces “length through the zone.”
Typically, choosing college over the draft means three seasons of college. Curiel, due to his age, will be draft-eligible again in 2026 after his sophomore season. MLB.com’s draft rankings had Curiel as the No. 117 available in the 2024 draft.
Derek Curiel is going to be fun to watch in the P&G pic.twitter.com/4FvE1b9wrt
— The Jordy Culotta Show (@CulottaShow) June 17, 2024
Perfect Game rates LSU’s 2024 recruiting class No. 2 in the nation, behind only Tennessee. The Tigers have 18 high school commitments, including 10 PG top-100 prospects. The 2023 national champions will be looking to get back to Omaha in 2025 after exiting the 2024 NCAA Tournament in the Chapel Hill Regional.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
