The 2026 MLB Draft commences on July 11 in Philadelphia. One former LSU baseball star could hear his name called early in the first round. Derek Curiel finished high on the mock draft released by The Athletic’s Keith Law on Monday.

Curiel is slotted at No. 12 overall to the Los Angles Angels on Law’s latest mock draft. He is the third outfielder and the eighth college player taken off the board. The Athletic’s mock draft is one of several that projected Curiel as a high first rounder.

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While Curiel teased a return to Baton Rouge for a third season in postseason interviews, it’s a long shot that he dons the purple and gold again. He recorded two standout seasons under head coach Jay Johnson that set him up well as a definite first rounder.

Curiel earned multiple first-team All-American nods in 2025, batting leadoff and helping LSU win its second national championship in three years. Over his two years with the Tigers, he batted .349 with a .975 OPS, 171 hits, 131 runs and 101 RBI.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball star Derek Curiel goes top 15 in latest mock draft