PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed Seth Hernandez, the talented right-handed pitcher selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
A standout senior from Corona High School (CA), Hernandez entered the draft as one of the most coveted arms in the country. He was ranked No. 2 overall by Baseball America and No. 3 by MLB Pipeline, earning national acclaim for his elite arsenal.
Baseball America praised Hernandez for owning the “Best Changeup” and the fourth-best fastball among this year’s high school draft class, drawing comparisons to pro-ready prospects with his polished delivery and mound maturity.
At just 19 years old, Hernandez boasts an impressive résumé:
- 2024–25 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year
- 2023–24 Gatorade California Player of the Year
- Two-time Los Angeles Times Player of the Year
During his dominant senior season, Hernandez posted a 0.39 ERA, striking out 105 batters across 53.1 innings while allowing just 3 earned runs in 11 starts. Offensively, he added pop to his profile with a .319 batting average, 7 home runs, and a 1.019 OPS.
Over his high school career, Hernandez compiled an 18–1 record, cementing his status as one of the most complete and decorated prep players in recent memory.
The Pirates secured Hernandez’s commitment thanks to veteran scout Mark Sluys, who led the club’s evaluation and signing efforts.
