LSU sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel has been named one of three outfielders on the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove Team for NCAA Division I.
A West Covina, Calif., native, Curiel becomes the sixth LSU player to earn a Gold Glove honor, joining names like Dylan Crews (2023), Zach Watson (2018–19), Alex Bregman and Andrew Stevenson (2015), and Micah Gibbs (2009).
Curiel is joined in the outfield by Ty Head of NC State and Hutson Miles of Lipscomb.
The sophomore posted a .985 fielding percentage in center field while showing elite range throughout the season. He was also named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in May.
At the plate, Curiel turned in a standout year, hitting a team-best .353 with 82 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 46 RBI, 64 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. He ranked among the SEC leaders in multiple categories, including batting average, hits, doubles, triples, and runs.
He closed the year on a 10-game hitting streak, batting .447 during that stretch with seven doubles, 13 runs scored, and a .542 on-base percentage.
A 2025 National Freshman of the Year after helping LSU win the College World Series title, Curiel now holds a .349 career average with 171 hits, 38 doubles, 13 home runs, 101 RBI, and 131 runs across two seasons in Baton Rouge. He has started all 126 games he’s played in.
The ABCA Gold Glove Awards are selected by coaching committees across the NCAA and other levels, honoring the top defensive players in college baseball and high school since 2007.
