PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The two Pirates prospects in the Futures Game last year are currently in the Pirates starting lineup this year. The 2026 prospect event will feature a 19-and-20-year-old from the Bucs.
Seth Hernandez is 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA between both of the Class A teams. The right-handed pitcher has struck out 100 in 62.1 innings with a 0.99 WHIP and .159 batting average against.
A left-hand hitting outfielder, Edward Florentino is still a teenager and hitting .230 with a .372 on-base percentage and .807 OPS with seven doubles, 10 home runs and 38 RBI in 53 games at both Class A teams.
"I'm excited,” Hernandez said. “I think we're both kind of excited. I think it's gonna be a fun event. It's gonna be my first time in Philadelphia, so it's gonna be super cool. And just to be around all the amazing prospects at that game, it's gonna be super fun.”
“For me, it's like kind of the same,” Florentino said. “It’s going to be my first time in Philadelphia, too, and I think it's one event that we will learn a lot in that time. Really cool.”
“Incredibly proud of both Seth and Edward for this honor,” said Pirates Director of Coaching and Player Development Michael Chernow. “Being able to send these two guys to the Futures Game to represent the organization is something that we're extremely proud of, not just because of who they are as players, two players that we are extremely excited about, that we believe in, that are going to help us win in Pittsburgh, but more importantly, the way that they go about it. Their character, the work ethic, the type of teammates they are, they really embody the standards that we try to implement, and couldn't be more proud and excited to watch them in Citizens Bank Park over the All-Star break.”
Hernandez was in high school last year and Florentino started last season in rookie ball and they are the number one and two prospects respectively in the organization.
As for them seeing what Griffin, also 20, and Valdez are doing in the majors and that they played in this game last year.
“It means a lot,” Hernandez said. “I think everybody's goal is to be in the big leagues one day, so the fact that Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn were able to do that, I think me and Flo want to be the next up. Super exciting.”
“Obviously, the Futures Game is going to be the best of the best, so it's gonna be fun to go out and compete and see how my abilities and how Flo's abilities (translate) in going out there and competing against those guys.”
"I think it’ll be really fun to see how the environment is, how the game is with the best of the best,” Florentino said. We are so competitive, so we’ll have fun out there.”
Expectations are neither would be in the same position as the two current Pirates, but given their starts who knows what next year will hold.
LISTEN to their news conference as High A stars play in showcase during All-Star week
LISTEN to their news conference as High A stars play in showcase during All-Star week
