On July 2, 2025, D1Baseball.com announced LSU freshman Derek Curiel as the National Freshman of the Year—a prestigious honor that celebrates the top first-year college baseball player across all of NCAA Division I . This accolade places Curiel in elite company, as just the eighth LSU player ever—and the first Tiger position player since 2000—to receive such recognition.
LSU’s previous winners:
- Todd Walker (2B, 1992)
- Brett Laxton (P, 1993)
- Mike Fontenot (2B, 2000)
- Lane Mestepey (P, 2001)
- Alex Bregman (SS, 2013)
- Alex Lange (P, 2015)
- Dylan Crews (OF, 2021)
Curiel’s addition highlights a legacy of outstanding LSU freshmen who’ve made immediate national impacts
Before coming to LSU, Curiel honed his skills at Orange Lutheran High School in West Covina, California, and was twice selected for the USA 18U National Team net). Perfect Game ranked him:
- No. 10 in the nation for high school prospects in 2024
- No. 1 among the top 75 college freshmen for the 2025 season
In January 2025, he was named SEC Preseason Freshman of the Year by D1Baseball.com—a signal that experts expected big things from him immediately
Perfect Game and Baseball America praised his “advanced pure hitter” profile, noting excellent plate discipline, swing mechanics, and pitch recognition, drawing parallels with Christian Yelich in terms of swing and physique
Offensive Exploits
Throughout the 2025 season, Curiel delivered an exceptional stat line:
- Batting .345 overall
- 20 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs
- 55 RBIs, 67 runs scored
- 53 walks, 89 hits, and a .470 on-base percentage
He dominated the SEC, ranking:
- 1st in doubles
- 3rd in walks
- 4th in hits and OBP
- 6th in runs scored
- 10th in batting average
In SEC play alone, Curiel lit it up:
- Posted a .373 average with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers
- Racked up 41 RBIs and 48 runs
- Walked to a .495 on-base percentage
- 43‑game on-base streak early in the season—the fifth-longest in LSU history
- Named SEC Freshman of the Week multiple times:
- March 17 (.571 average vs. Missouri) (
- April 28 (.467 average with two homers vs. Tennessee) (
Curiel shined on the postseason’s biggest stage:
Regionals & Super Regionals
- Baton Rouge Regional: hit .400 with two doubles, two RBIs, and four runs
- Super Regional vs. West Virginia: .571 average with a homer, double, six runs, and five RBIs (
College World Series (CWS)
- Named to CWS All-Tournament Team after six hits, three RBIs, and three runs
Sports Spectrum highlighted his calm under pressure, noting a critical walk and single in clutch moments during LSU’s win over Arkansas, along with his .458 average in NCAA Tournament play
Coach Jay Johnson praised Curiel’s winning mindset:
All culminated in LSU’s 2025 National Championship, marking their 8th College World Series title
4. Skill Set: A Modern Five-Tool Talent
Plate Discipline & Approach
- Elite walk rate—53 walks rank 3rd in the SEC.
- Prefers contact: “I will 100‑percent hit .350 over .300 any day … singles and doubles,” Curiel said
Power & Gap Hitting
- Classic doubles machine: 20 this season.
- Power carries, but his strategy focuses on consistent base hits and extra-base production.
Speed & Baserunning
- Credited with 19 stolen bases in high school; steal threat remains a part of his game .
Defense & Arm
- Plays both center and left field fluidly; compares himself to Kevin Pillar in style and grit
- Reports showed arm velocity rising from the low-90s to the mid-90s mph out of high school .
Intangibles & Mental Game
- Strong Christian faith, maintains composure and confidence.
- Speaks openly about staying present, moving past failures, and giving glory to God
LSU’s Freshman Legacy
Being an LSU freshman on a championship team means immediately contributing to a tradition of excellence. Curiel becomes part of a lineage that includes legends like Alex Bregman, Dylan Crews, and Mike Fontenot. His award confirms he’s not just plugging into a storied program—he’s adding to its greatness.
The Complete Player
A rare blend of:
- Contact skills (batting average and OBP)
- Power (20 doubles, timely homers)
- Speed (on-base to scoring ratio)
- Defense (athleticism and strong arm)
- Character (mental composure and team-first outlook)
This five-tool profile aligns with traits MLB teams value highly, which makes his decision to play college ball at LSU even more intriguing.
Game-Changer in Clutch Moments
Curiel shows up when it matters most—postseason slumps aren’t in his DNA. Across NCAA Tournament games, he was hitting near .460 and came through in pressure-packed CWS moments.
Let’s stack Curiel next to some of LSU’s historic freshman standouts:
- Mike Fontenot (2000): batted .353 with 17 HR and 64 RBIs—Curiel’s .345 with 20 doubles adds modern nuance
- Alex Bregman (2013): elite bat-to-ball skills. Curiel shares his plate vision, though he emphasizes gap hitting over power (
- Dylan Crews (2021): the only other Tiger OF to win the freshman award. Curiel’s stat line mirrors the high bar Crews set: high average, on-base prowess, and postseason success .
He follows a lineage of freshmen who didn’t just meet expectations—they set LSU’s tone for seasons to come.
2026 & Beyond
- Curiel is draft‑eligible in 2026, but his decision to return could shift team planning dramatically.
- LSU’s recruiting focus might pivot based on his commitment, accelerating future targets.
- While predominantly a left fielder this year, his athleticism suggests a potential move to center field as early as next season.
Leadership & Culture
- Others will model his disciplined approach and postseason toughness.
- His character and faith-based leadership help foster a resilient clubhouse culture.
8. What’s Next for Curiel?
Offseason Development
- Strength and conditioning aimed at bulking up from ~174 to 190–200 lbs for added power and durability
- Continued refinement in hitting mechanics—he’s committed to improving consistency in the middle part of the field.
Expectations in 2026
- Likely the leadoff or 2-spot hitter.
- Projected center fielder (or top corner guy) with Gold Glove-level range and a sub-260 hit average.
- Anticipated to be among the top MLB draft prospects—considering he already plays like one.
Reddit Perspective
One fan in r/LSUBaseball pointed out his sudden impact:
There’s clear social buzz: LSU’s fan base sees him as the next big thing—much like Crews before him.
Media Praise
- Sports Spectrum: lauded his “confidence from the Lord” and postseason heroics
- SI & WAFB: echoed LSU’s release, noting his all-around impact on the team .
LSU continues to prove it’s a breeding ground for elite freshman-level players, as evidenced >once more with Curiel’s performance.
Curiel bypassed the 2024 MLB Draft, betting on himself and development. This move now pays off immensely, both in performance and recognition.
Inspiring the Next Generation
High school recruits now see another pathway: dominate nationally in college, earn massive exposure and credibility, then enter the professional ranks on top.
Derek Curiel’s ascension to 2025 D1Baseball.com National Freshman of the Year marks more than just a personal accolade. It tells a story of:
- A prospect fulfilling potential—from high school hype to college excellence.
- A complete, five-tool player with both statistical dominance and mental resilience.
- A game-changer on national stages, in every sense.
- A continuation of LSU greatness, incrementing a storied legacy with new chapters.
As we look forward, the 2026 season becomes loaded with expectation. Will Curiel chase .350+ with more power? Can he anchor center field while tipping pitchers off with his on-base skills? His answers could reshape LSU’s season—and his own draft story.
Curiel’s award is the culmination of talent, work ethic, belief, and opportunity. It celebrates his journey from California phenom to LSU National Champion, and now—National Freshman of the Year. His blend of skill, heart, and championship pedigree sets him apart, and we’re watching just the opening chapter of what promises to be an exciting baseball career.
