With the No. 6 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Seth Hernandez. Here are a few things to know about the newest member of the Pirates organization:
California’s Ace Comes to the Show
The Pirates didn’t overthink it — they went straight to one of the cleanest prep arms in the country. Seth Hernandez, the right-hander from Corona High School in Southern California, who turns 19 on draft day, stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 190 pounds with room to grow. This year’s Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year dominated on every stage, pairing big-game poise with a starter’s build and a polished arsenal. Now, the kid who overpowered SoCal lineups all spring gets to do the same in your team’s farm system.
Polish Beyond His Years
Hernandez doesn’t fit the stereotype of the raw, high-risk high school flamethrower. His fastball sits 92–95 mph and has touched 97, but what sets him apart is how advanced he is for his age. He repeats a clean delivery, fills up the strike zone, and commands four pitches like a college arm. Hernandez throws a classic 12-to-6 spike curve along with a hard slider. But it’s the changeup, thought by some to be the best pitch in the draft, that really separates Hernandez from the pack. He racked up 105 strikeouts in 53.1 innings his senior year, walking just seven — proof that he’s not just throwing hard, he’s pitching with a plan.
Lights-Out in Big Moments
After being homeschooled through his sophomore year in high school, Hernandez seemingly came out of nowhere as a junior, posting a 9-0 record with a 0.62 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 56 innings, and he also hit .352 with eight home runs and a 1.080 OPS. In his senior season, Hernandez gave up just one earned run in the regular season, and he finished 10-1 with a 0.39 ERA. His stuff played just as well in showcase circuits, where he handled top prep bats from across the country with the same calm approach. Scouts have raved about how composed he stays on the mound, no matter who’s in the box or how many eyes are on him.
A Bet on Projection
The beauty of Hernandez is that he’s this good already — and there’s more in the tank. His frame still has room to add strength, which could mean more velocity in the coming years. He’s athletic, repeats his delivery with ease, and doesn’t put unnecessary stress on his arm — all traits that have evaluators believing he can handle the pro workload ahead. Entering professional baseball already possessing the foundation for four plus pitches, Hernandez has a high ceiling, with frontline starter upside if it all clicks.
Grounded Off the Field
Off the mound, Hernandez has been described as mature, respectful, and the kind of steady presence any team would want leading a rotation someday. He’s handled the spotlight that comes with being SoCal’s top prep pitcher — Gatorade National Player of the Year, local headlines, national showcases — without letting it get to his head. He’s close with family and friends and made it clear he’s serious about his baseball path, choosing to sign now rather than head to college. Hernandez has done a lot of volunteer work for his church and for a local senior living community, and he is also a sculptor and abstract artist. If the early signs hold true, your team didn’t just land a live arm — they added a driven and unique young man built to handle the long grind ahead.
Bottom Line
Seth Hernandez is the rare prep righty who feels more sure thing than project. Earning comparisons to Josh Beckett, Hernandez has the size, the feel, the clean mechanics, and the mound presence to move through the system as a future rotation piece. With a fastball that’s still got projection and a changeup to rival any pitchers’ best, it’s not hard to dream on what he could look like with a few pro seasons under his belt. For fans of the Pirates wondering whether your club just rolled the dice — rest easy. They bet on polish, projection, and a makeup that gives him every chance to deliver.
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