PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said once you get the first-round pick signed, the rest will follow. On Tuesday the Pirates signed high school pitcher Seth Hernandez, a day after already signing three others.
Committed to Vanderbilt, Hernandez delivery was described by one MLB Network analyst during the MLB Draft as ‘butter’, meaning is was so smooth and effortless. He’s already thrown 100 miles-an-hour, but typically throws in the mid-90s, occasionally getting to 97. He said he currently has four pitches-fastball, slider, curve and changeup. The right-hander credits his changeup as an out pitch, but believes once he fine tunes his mechanics, the other pitches will lock in. MLB.com said one of the best traits for Hernandez is his work ethic and his ability to adjust and correct.
Hernandez said after the draft he had already met fellow Californian Jared Jones (the Bucs pitcher, not the draft pick), they played for the same travel baseball team. He was also excited about being teammates with the other Californian, Paul Skenes.
Hernandez is the second pitcher since 2019 to be the Pirates first overall pick in the draft, Paul Skenes went number one overall in 2023. Cherington said Sunday they expect to send him to Florida with the focus to be ready for 2026.
Of the Pirates last five first overall picks, three are on the Pirates roster (RHP Paul Skenes 2023, C Henry Davis 2021, INF Nick Gonzales 2020). A fourth is one of the top prospects in the all of baseball (SS/OF Konnor Griffin 2024, High A Greensboro) and 21-year-old INF Termarr Johnson is at AA.