PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As Konnor Griffin turned 20, there is still a 19-year-old to be really excited in the Pirates organization. Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez has had a quick start to his professional career.
Drafted by the Pirates as the sixth overall pick last year, Hernandez was in high school in California a year ago and now in Bradenton, Florida pitching for the Class A Marauders.
In 22 innings (five starts), the 6’4”, 190-pound right-hander has allowed three runs on 10 hits with six walks, a hit batter and 41 strikeouts. The ERA is 1.23 with a 0.73 WHIP and .133 batting average against.
“A lot has gone right so far, feeling great on the mound, body is feeling healthy, feeling strong,” Hernandez said on the Pirates Insider Show with Jason Mackey on 93.7 The Fan. “Just looking forward to keep dominating, keep shoving and keep getting some wins.”
Hernandez told Mackey the key for him has been completing the arsenal. He added a slider to the mix during the offseason and it’s starting to tighten and sharpen up. He said the changeup and curveball have been good this year and the shape on the fastball has been the best he’s ever had. Along with that, mechanically, it’s been pretty good.
“Guys can’t sit on anything,” Hernandez said on the Pirates Radio Network and 93.7 The Fan. “Just try to keep doing what I am doing.”
His first year in the pros, Hernandez really likes how he’s being handled by the Pirates organization.
“They just kind of let us be pitchers, let us do our thing,” Hernandez told Jason Mackey on 93.7 The Fan. “Obviously, they are always supervising 24/7, they are making sure we stay on the right path. Mechanically and adjustments, there’s always stuff to get better at and improve on. They don’t try to put too much in our head. That really just keeps a clear mind and lets us dominate every single outing.”
Hernandez said he tries to take bits and pieces from pitchers he admires, among them former Pirates number one pick Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Zach Wheeler. Even though he has a fastball that hits 100 mph, his favorite pitch is the change-up. The 19-year-old said he’s developed a feel for it and can throw it to both sides of the plate.
Even though Griffin made a huge jump coming out of high school, Hernandez expects to spend the bulk of his first season in Bradenton. He’s ok with that. The righty said the Pirates have been pretty upfront about that. He is even understanding life on the Gulf Coast in late spring and summer.
“For me, especially since it’s getting a little hotter down here, I’m trying to get off the field as fast as I can,” Hernandez said. “I’m not thinking about strikeouts, I’m thinking about pounding the zone and letting the defense do its thing. The strikeouts come with getting in the zone early and getting ahead. I think with the stuff I have right now it’s been pretty beneficial to the strikeouts.”
“I’m really just trying to get off the field as fast as I can to save the pitch count, especially as the season goes on. You don’t want to waste too many bullets chasing strikeouts.”
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The Pirates first overall selection in each of the last three MLB Drafts:
- Seth Hernandez
- Konnor Griffin
- Paul Skenes
19-year-old righty with 41 strikeouts in 22 innings
19-year-old righty with 41 strikeouts in 22 innings
