Pirates’ Seth Hernandez is making a case for being the hottest pitcher in the minors originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Seth Hernandez did not have the high school path most other high-profile MLB draft picks have. He was homeschooled during his freshman and sophomore years before he attended Corona High School in California.
Some may be familiar with the school as it has produced some MLB talent in the past, like Joe Kelly. They are a bit of a baseball powerhouse, and that was no different when Hernandez attended.
He, alongside Billy Carlson were elite, becoming the first pair of high school teammates to be selected in the top 10 of the same draft.
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Pirates’ Seth Hernandez is making a case for being the hottest pitcher in the minors
Carlson would hear his name called 10th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox, while Hernandez would go sixth overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hernandez has been dominating the Florida State League and recently was promoted to High-A. He’s someone fans will want to keep an eye on as the crew over at MLB.com tags him as the club’s hottest pitching prospect.
“There might not be a hotter pitcher in the minors than Hernandez, the No. 6 pick in last year’s draft. The 19-year-old right-hander allowed just three runs over 28 IP in the Florida State League for a 0.96 ERA. He also gave up just 13 hits and struck out 50 while walking only 2.3 per nine. His final start for Bradenton was a six-inning shutout effort in which he scattered just three hits and a walk while whiffing nine.”
Hernandez has a great feel for all four of his pitches. His fastball can touch 98 mph, while his changeup plays well off of it. He also possesses two great spinning pitches in a slider and a curveball that can both generate whiffs.
He looks like a future frontline starter, but it will likely be a few years before he gets significant innings in the big leagues.
More MLB news:
- Kade Anderson is proving to be the most dominant arm in the Mariners’ system
- Athletics’ No. 4 prospect is simply unstoppable in Double-A right now
- White Sox fans should keep a close eye on the surging Gabe Davis
- Rays may have found a hidden gem in right-handed pitcher Aidan Cremarosa
- Blue Jays’ prospect is thriving despite being the youngest in Northwest League
