Mock drafts in the offseason are basically baseball’s version of ordering appetizers when you’re starving — it’s not the meal, but it tells you what kind of night it’s going to be.
And right now? Two of the big early boards are already steering the Baltimore Orioles toward the same player at No. 7 overall: LSU outfielder Derek Curiel. MLB Pipeline’s first full 2026 mock draft has Baltimore taking Curiel at seven, noting the upside hinges on how much power comes and whether he can truly stick in center. Bleacher Report’s post-lottery first-round mock also slots Curiel to the O’s at seven, leaning hard into the hit tool, on-base ability, and center-field profile.