Florentino, Hernandez impact prospects Futures Game

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - While the Pirates faced the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh Sunday, they were well represented on the other side of the state at the MLB Futures Game in Philadelphia.

Two of the Bucs’ brightest young players, Seth Hernandez (RHP) and Edward Florentino (OF), faced off against other top prospects across the league.

Here’s how each player left their mark on the contest:

Seth Hernandez

• Ahead of the game, Hernandez said he was well aware of the amount of eyeballs that would be on him as he took the mound, however long his appearance would end up lasting. He’s never let the extra attention get to him throughout his career so far, and Sunday was no different.
• In his first and only inning of action in the top of the second, Hernandez fanned the first batter he faced in just four pitches by flexing his four-seam fastball. He then used a slider to force White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer into a pop out in just two pitches.
• The final batter Hernandez faced, Orioles prospect Ike Irish, forced him into his longest at bat. Showcasing a four-seamer, curveball and changeup, Hernandez won the duel when Irish finally struck out swinging after eight pitches to close the frame.

Edward Florentino

• Like Hernandez, Florentino's showing was also limited to just one inning, but he still made the most of it.
• During his lone plate appearance in the bottom of the third, Florentino only got one chance to swing his bat before a wild pitch hit him and sent him to first base. He then showed off his speed by stealing second before a forceout allowed him to head over to third. A groundout by Brewers prospect Jesús Made gave Florentino all the time he needed to cross home plate to score the NL’s first run.