LSU baseball star signs with MLB org for 2 million less than slot value

Derek Curiel is officially a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates ' organization. He signed with the team for $6.2 million on Saturday after it selected him at No. 5 overall during the 2026 MLB Draft. The ex-LSU outfielder will begin the road to the Big Show.

The assigned slot value to the No. 5 overall pick was estimated to be $8.3 million. Curiel signed for $2.1 million under the slot value but the number he signed for lines up more in the range of the No. 10-15 overall picks. This is the area in which Curiel was projected for selection by scouts ahead of the draft.