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Pirates Prospect Update: Seth Hernandez off to hot start
TL;DR
Seth Hernandez, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect, is off to a strong start in his first professional season with the Bradenton Marauders. After being drafted sixth overall in 2025, he dominated in his debut, striking out eight in three innings against the Dunedin Blue Jays.
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 20, 2026: Seth Hernandez #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park on March 20, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Piratesā top pitching prospect, Seth Hernandez, is looking strong in his first season of professional baseball with the Bradenton Marauders
Hernandez was drafted sixth overall by the Pirates in 2025 as the top high school pitching prospect in the class. He was named the California Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, The Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and the Enterprise Varsity Player of the Year. He decided to forgo his commitment to Vanderbilt and signed with the Pirates for $7.25 million.
2025 only saw Hernandez get time with the Florida Coast League Pirates, so this is his first year of pitching in the minor leagues. With Low-A Bradenton the 19-year-old righty has made two starts so far this season, with both being very impressive. In his first career start against the Dunedin Blue Jays Hernandez largely dominated the opposing hitters. In just three innings pitched he accumulated eight strikeouts. He would give up one earned run and allow three hits, but for his first professional start, it doesnāt get much better.
Against the Palm Beach Cardinals on April 10, Hernandez was once again dictating the pace from the mound. In four innings Hernandez struck out seven batters, while not allowing any hits or earned runs while he was pitching. Bradenton would go on to lose the contest and the series to Palm Beach, but it certainly wasnāt because of Hernandez.
Hernandez was given a prospect rating of 55 overall, with a 70 graded fastball and a 60 graded curveball. At 6ā4ā he has an athletic build which will bode well for a power pitcher, but he also has incredible body control to repeat his delivery on the mound consistently. He has a lot of potential given his physical skills and the fact that he has great stuff, working with a solid four pitch mix. Hernandez is in line to be another great velocity focused starter in the Pirates rotation.
Seth Hernandez is ranked as the Piratesā second overall prospect and is ranked 24th in the top 100.
Q&A
What are Seth Hernandez's achievements before joining the Pirates?
Before joining the Pirates, Seth Hernandez was named the California Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year and the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year.
How much did Seth Hernandez sign for with the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Seth Hernandez signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $7.25 million after being drafted sixth overall.
What were Seth Hernandez's stats in his first professional start?
In his first professional start against the Dunedin Blue Jays, Seth Hernandez pitched three innings, striking out eight batters and allowing one earned run on three hits.