MLB Draft Prospect Profile: Prep RHP Seth Hernandez Might Be Worth the Gamble
This is one in a series of breakdowns of the top prospects available in the 2025 MLB Draft.
If Major League Baseball teams could create pitching prospects in a lab, the end result would probably be something similar to Seth Hernandez.
Hernandez, a high school pitcher from California, is 6-foot-4, weighs 190 pounds and has been on scouts’ radars for quite a while.
The just-turned 19-year-old has an impressive arsenal, headlined by his 70-grade fastball that already sits in the mid-90s and has touched triple digits in the past. He also has a plus-curveball, a plus-changeup and at least an above-average slider.
Though pitchers coming out of high school are typically considered raw, Hernandez has an advanced feel for pitching with good command and athleticism.
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Seth Hernandez had a dominating performance at NHSI: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 K.
4SM: 95-98, hit 99 mph in the 7th
Spike CB: 79-82 flashed 55, notably improved
Bullet SL: 84-87 solid 4th option
CH: 81-85 70-grade https://t.co/xMiRmvzboL pic.twitter.com/aaJkg0OVxr— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) April 15, 2025
The numbers that the right-hander posted as a senior at Corona High School are eye-opening. Hernandez made 11 starts and went 9-1. It’s pretty hard to comprehend how he took even one loss.
Hernandez posted an immaculate 0.39 ERA, struck out 105 batters and walked just seven across 53.1 innings.
Hernandez is committed to play collegiately at Vanderbilt University, which is considered one of the top programs in the country. Unfortunately for the Commodores, it’s extremely unlikely he ever plays a collegiate game.
While Hernandez’s potential is that of an ace, he also comes with a fairly significant amount of risk.
Hernandez has the frame, the stuff and all the attributes a team wants in a pitcher. But high school pitchers are viewed as the riskiest demographic in the draft, which is why there’s a chance he could be available for the Pirates with the sixth pick. Baseball America has Pittsburgh taking the right-hander in their most recent mock draft.
For a team like the Pirates, the draft is the primary way to add star talent to the organization. They’ll never sign a free agent to a mega contract. They don’t sell the farm for a frontline starter or an MVP caliber hitter either.
If the Pirates want potential stars, they have to be drafted and developed. Konnor Griffin, last year’s first-round pick, came with some risk. So far, it looks like that risk paid off.
They could be wise to take a gamble on Hernandez too.
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