19-year-old Hernandez takes over MiLB lead in strikeouts with 8 more at High-A
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Seth Hernandez just keeps on racking up strikeouts.
MLB’s No. 3 prospect once again showcased his electric stuff in his latest outing, fanning eight over five solid frames in High-A Greensboro’s 16-15 loss to Asheville at HomeTrust Park. The outing marked Hernandez’s seventh of the season with seven or more K's and vaulted him into the Minor League lead with 76 overall.
Although the 19-year-old allowed three runs on four hits and two walks, the outing was Hernandez’s strongest since he twirled five hitless innings with seven strikeouts in his High-A debut on May 15. He produced 16 whiffs while landing 53 of 81 offerings for strikes -- matching his career high in pitches. His eight punchouts were the most since his promotion to Greensboro.
Hernandez was tagged for a leadoff homer by fellow 2025 draftee Justin Thomas Jr. (Astros) to open his outing, before going on cruise control and fanning seven of the next 13 batters he faced.
MLB’s top pitching prospect ran into trouble in the fifth. He induced a groundout to start the frame, but walked two of the next three batters, bringing Thomas back to the dish with two men on. The 22-year-old outfielder laced a two-run double to center field. Hernandez struck out the next batter to cap his night.
Equipped with an arsenal that features one of the best four-seamers in the Minors -- a high-octane heater that can reach triple digits -- and three secondaries that are above average, Hernandez has proven to be quite the challenge for opposing hitters. He allowed just three runs over six Single-A starts before earning a promotion to Greensboro in mid-May.
At the new level, the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect has continued to tally strikeouts at an impressive clip -- he leads the Minors with a 43.2 percent K rate -- but has lost some of his sharpness. After surrendering just seven walks across six Single-A starts, Hernandez has given up 13 free passes in four outings for the Grasshoppers.
Hernandez also has been plagued by the long ball. All but two of the runs that he has allowed at High-A have come on homers. His shortest start so far consisted of three solo jacks in 2 2/3 innings -- yet he still struck out five in that outing.
While California native’s performance hasn't been quite as dominant since moving up, Hernandez is still ahead of schedule as a high school draftee in the 2025 class. Plus, his stuff is downright nasty. In total between the two levels, Hernandez has held opponents to a .148 average while sporting a Pirates' system-leading 2.17 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
Hernandez will be looking to limit the home runs and walks as he continues to navigate his first pro season and move up the ladder, but one thing is for sure -- the teen phenom already knows how to strike batters out.