The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the 2026 MLB Draft with an opportunity to add another significant collection of talent to one of baseball’s strongest farm systems.
Pittsburgh began its class by selecting LSU outfielder Derek Curiel with the No. 5 overall pick. Curiel was followed by high school shortstop Aiden Ruiz, Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert, North Carolina pitcher Jason DeCaro and Nevada high school outfielder Andruw Giles.
Four of the Pirates’ first five selections were position players. That trend changed dramatically on the second day of the draft, when Pittsburgh used nine consecutive picks from Rounds 10 through 17 on pitchers.
The Pirates had an additional Competitive Balance Round A selection at No. 34 overall but traded it, along with pitching prospect Jaden Woods, to the Chicago White Sox for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert. Pittsburgh still received an extra second-round selection at No. 51 as compensation for failing to sign 2025 second-round pick Angel Cervantes.
Through the first 20 selections, Pittsburgh drafted 13 pitchers and seven position players. Curiel headlines the class as an advanced college hitter with strong plate discipline and the ability to play all three outfield positions, while Ruiz, the No. 44 overall pick, gives the system one of the best defensive shortstops available in the draft.
Konnor Griffin talks his relationship with Derek Curiel + what @Pirates fans can expect from him ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/viiF4VYZ2Y
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) July 11, 2026
The Pirates also added upside in Rembert’s bat speed, DeCaro’s youth and starting-pitcher potential and Giles’ projectable left-handed swing. After building around position players early, Pittsburgh spent much of Day 2 replenishing its organizational pitching depth with experienced college arms.
Here is the complete list of the Pirates’ selections in the 2026 MLB Draft:
Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2026 MLB Draft picks
Round 1, No. 5 overall: OF Derek Curiel, LSU (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 12)
Round 2, No. 44 overall: SS Aiden Ruiz, The Stony Brook School in New York (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 32)
Supplemental second round, No. 51 overall: 2B Chris Rembert, Auburn (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 47)
Round 3, No. 80 overall: RHP Jason DeCaro, North Carolina (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 133)
Round 4, No. 108 overall: OF Andruw Giles, Basic Academy in Nevada (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 157)
Round 5, No. 140 overall: LHP Ryan Marohn, North Carolina State (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 149)
Round 6, No. 169 overall: RHP Tyler Fay, Alabama (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 229)
Round 7, No. 198 overall: RHP Bryson Moore, Florida State
Round 8, No. 228 overall: RHP Alex Overbay, Arizona State
Round 9, No. 258 overall: 3B Tre Phelps, Georgia (MLB Pipeline Rank: No, 121)
Round 10, No. 288 overall: RHP Michael Gibson, The Citadel
Round 11, No. 318 overall: LHP Spencer Evans, TNXL Academy in Florida (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 195)
Round 12, No. 348 overall: RHP Rohan Lettow, San Diego State
Round 13, No. 378 overall: RHP Griffin Stieg, Virginia Tech
Round 14, No. 408 overall: RHP Damarcus Rideout-Carter, Heart Lake Secondary School in Ontario
Round 15, No. 438 overall: RHP Liam O’Leary, St. John’s
Round 16, No. 468 overall: RHP Grant Govel, USC (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 216)
Round 17, No. 498 overall: RHP Nathan Helman, Kennesaw State
Round 18, No. 528 overall: OF Malachi Washington, Parkview High School in Georgia (MLB Pipeline rank: No. 118)
Round 19, No. 558 overall: OF Andrew Duncan, Wright State
Round 20, No. 588 overall: LHP Dakota Stone, North Florida
