Episode 394 - Bench Bantr ft. Derek Curiel

Pirates first-round draft pick Derek Curiel joins Scott and Adam from PNC Park for an exclusive episode of Bench Bantr! Fresh off being selected by Pittsburgh, the former LSU standout discusses his path to professional baseball, what fueled his success at every level, and the mindset that made him one of the top prospects in the 2026 MLB Draft. Curiel also breaks down his approach at the plate, his all-around style of play, adjusting to professional baseball, and what Pirates fans can expect as he begins his journey through the organization. If you're looking for insight into one of the Pirates' top prospects and future stars, this is an interview you won't want to miss. ⚾ In this episode: -Derek Curiel's baseball journey -Life at LSU and preparing for the MLB Draft -What it was like becoming a Pirates first-round pick -His hitting approach and defensive game -Goals for his professional career -What Pirates fans can expect from him If you enjoyed the interview, like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more exclusive Pirates player interviews, prospect coverage, clubhouse access, and weekly analysis from Bucco Bantr. Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/x7R5CKnX9 Visit the TSE shop here: https://tseshop.com/?rfsn=8616256.5dea20 Visit Sports Card Junction here: https://sportscardjunction.com Follow us on Instagram: @buccobantr Follow us on Twitter (X): @buccobantr Follow us on TikTok: @buccobantr Follow us on Blue Sky: @buccobantr.bsky.social Subscribe to our YouTube: @buccobantr Check out Just Baseball here: https://www.justbaseball.com/ Email us your questions: [email protected]   You can join our patreon using the following link:   https://www.patreon.com/cw/BuccoBantr?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLinkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.