LSU Tigers outfielder Derek Curiel was named National Freshman of the Year by D1Baseball, the publication announced on Wednesday.
The California native burst onto the scene for Jay Johnson as a true freshman, primarily batting leadoff and roaming the outfield.
He reached base in the first 43 games of his LSU career and posted an impressive .345 batting average. He also tallied seven home runs, 20 doubles, and 55 RBIs.
Those numbers allowed Curiel to earn Second-Team All-American honors as well as First-Team Freshman All-American honors.
In the postseason, Curiel elevated his game once again. The freshman batted .571 in the Super Regional and was a part of the Baton Rouge All-Regional team as well.
His Tigers team would go on to win the College World Series Championship, adding their eighth trophy to the trophy case in baton Rouge.