With the 2026 MLB Draft fast approaching, the Boston Red Sox are on the clock at pick No. 20, and all eyes are on a potential game-changer from the college ranks. The team has been heavily linked to several collegiate bats, but one name is starting to stand out in early mock drafts: LSU outfielder Derek Curiel.

Analyst Ryan Phillips of SI recently projected that the Red Sox will select Curiel, a "contact-first" outfielder known for his elite bat-to-ball skills. "Curiel has some of the best contact skills in the draft out of his lefty stroke," Phillips noted. The draft-eligible sophomore is currently hitting .346 with a .941 OPS, adding six home runs and 13 stolen bases to his stat line. While his 6'2", 192-pound frame doesn't generate massive power yet, scouts believe there's untapped potential as he continues to develop physically.

Curiel isn't just a one-tool player. He's a plus runner who should hold his own in center field, even if his arm strength isn't elite. His ability to get on base is what really sets him apart. At LSU, the soon-to-be 21-year-old boasts a .424 OBP—a slight dip from his stellar .470 mark as a freshman, but still impressive for a player in one of college baseball's toughest conferences.

For a Red Sox organization that values patient, contact-oriented hitters, Curiel feels like a natural fit. He could move quickly through the system, especially if Boston is looking to inject young talent into its outfield mix sooner rather than later. The 2026 MLB Draft is set for July 11-13 in Philadelphia, and if this mock holds true, Red Sox fans might have a new name to watch in their farm system.