Red Sox Mocked To Select 'Contact' Outfielder From LSU

LSU Tigers outfielder Derek Curiel

Red Sox Mocked To Select 'Contact' Outfielder From LSU originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox have the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and have been linked to several college bats.

Boston could look to select a college player to fast-track them to the major leagues to help its roster. With the MLB Draft approaching, mock drafts are starting to come out, and analyst Ryan Phillips of SI believes the Red Sox will select Derek Curiel out of LSU, who’s a contact first outfielder.

“Curiel has some of the best contact skills in the draft out of his lefty stroke,” Phillips wrote in an article published on Wednesday. “As a draft-eligible sophomore, he’s hitting .346 with a .941 OPS, and has six home runs and 13 stolen bases. He doesn’t generate much power yet out of his 6'2" frame at 192 pounds, but could have more there if he fills out. He’s a good runner and should field his position well in center despite not having a great arm.”

Curiel is a well-rounded outfielder who could rise up the system, especially due to his ability to get on base.

At LSU, the soon-to-be 21-year-old outfielder has an OBP of .424, which is down from .470 in his freshman season.

The 2026 MLB Draft is set for July 11-13 in Philadelphia.

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