Derek Curiel moved to centerfield in 2026 in part to prove to MLB teams he could do it.
The result was award winning.
The 2026 @abca1945 NCAA Division I Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners!#RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/LWCzoBrZGG
— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) June 17, 2026
Wednesday Curiel was named to the Rawlings Gold Glove team as one of three outfielders nationally. The transition from left was seamless for the sensational sophomore. He made just two errors in 134 chances and made countless excellent plays roaming the Alex Box Stadium sod.
The left-handed bat has always been Curiel’s calling card, but his defense in 2026 was exceptional. Mock drafts are including the Tiger sophomore as a top 10 pick in next month’s MLB Draft.
He leaves LSU a career .349 hitter with a gold glove.
