LSU Baseball Stars Poised for 2026 MLB Draft

Derek Curiel, Steven Milam, and Jake Brown ranked among Baseball America's Top 200 Prospects

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:00pm

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the motion and action of a baseball game, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic energy and skill of LSU's top MLB draft prospects.Sulphur Today

LSU baseball is making waves with an impressive trio of players - outfielder Derek Curiel, shortstop Steven Milam, and infielder Jake Brown - who have all been ranked among Baseball America's Top 200 Prospects for the 2026 MLB Draft. The three standout student-athletes are expected to make a big impact on the field and in the classroom as LSU gears up for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

These LSU players are not only talented on the field, but also excel academically, demonstrating the well-rounded nature of the program. Their high draft rankings could lead to lucrative professional opportunities and shine a spotlight on LSU's baseball program.

The details

Derek Curiel, a sophomore outfielder from West Covina, Calif., is ranked No. 8 on the list after a standout rookie season that saw him named the 2025 National Freshman of the Year. He led LSU to the NCAA National Championship with a .345 batting average, 20 doubles, and 7 home runs. Shortstop Steven Milam, from Las Cruces, N.M., made the 2025 College World Series All-Tournament Team and hit .350 with 13 RBIs in the NCAA Tournament. He also excelled in the classroom, earning Third-Team Academic All-American honors. Infielder Jake Brown, from Sulphur, La., played in 64 games last season, batting .320 with 8 home runs and 48 RBIs. He was named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.

  • The 2026 MLB Draft is scheduled for June 2026.
  • LSU's 2026 baseball season begins on February 13th.

The players

Derek Curiel

A sophomore outfielder from West Covina, Calif., Curiel was named the 2025 National Freshman of the Year by D1Baseball.com after leading LSU to the NCAA National Championship with a .345 batting average, 20 doubles, and 7 home runs.

Steven Milam

A shortstop from Las Cruces, N.M., Milam made the 2025 College World Series All-Tournament Team and hit .350 with 13 RBIs in the NCAA Tournament. He also excelled in the classroom, earning Third-Team Academic All-American honors.

Jake Brown

An infielder from Sulphur, La., Brown played in 64 games last season, batting .320 with 8 home runs and 48 RBIs. He was named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.

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What’s next

The three LSU players will look to continue their strong performances as the 2026 season gets underway on February 13th. Their draft rankings will be closely watched by MLB scouts as they aim to improve their stock ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft in June.

The takeaway

LSU's baseball program is producing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. The high draft rankings of Curiel, Milam, and Brown showcase the program's ability to develop top-tier talent and prepare players for professional opportunities.