Following his impressive pro debut earlier this month, Seth Hernandez told MLB.com, "I think it's about actually learning how to read reports and learning what works for me and my arsenal, and learning what also I could actually take into the game and use."
The 19-year-old has made three starts since then and all indications are: mission accomplished.
The Pirates' No. 2 prospect was absolutely dominant again in his latest gem -- tossing five scoreless frames while setting a new career high with nine strikeouts -- for Single-A Bradenton in a 3-0 victory over Clearwater at BayCare Ballpark on Friday night.
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Hernandez extended his hitless streak to 12 2/3 frames before it was snapped on a ground ball that found its way under the glove of rehabbing third baseman Jared Triolo. The 2025 No. 6 overall Draft pick promptly began a new streak that he will resume at 1 1/3 innings his next time out.
MLB's No. 24 overall prospect was drafted with a reputation for blowing batters away and his early sample size at Single-A has lived up to the billing. Armed with a 70-grade heater, Hernandez tossed 61 pitches on Friday night and eclipsed 96 mph 30 times, 97 mph 16 times and 98 mph eight times -- with his hardest pitch being clocked at 98.7 mph, which he did twice.
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The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander retired the first eight Clearwater batters he faced -- racking up five of his nine punchouts -- while working efficiently. Hernandez needed 10 pitches to navigate the first inning and just six to get through the second. After striking out the first two batters of the third, Hernandez yielded his first baserunner of the contest on a seven-pitch walk. He promptly left that runner stranded after recording his sixth K of the game on three pitches to escape the frame unscathed.
After quickly setting down the first two batters of the fourth inning, Alirio Ferrebus (PHI No. 22) reached on a tough play down the third-base line that ended his hitless streak and extended the frame -- briefly. The Corona, Calif., native notched his eighth punchout of the outing on four pitches to retire the side.
Hernandez made quick work of his final frame, picking off a baserunner after a four-pitch walk. He completed his outing by fanning Jaeden Calderon on three pitches -- two that surpassed 98 mph.
Over his first four pro starts, Hernandez is sporting an 0.53 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and .074 average against with 32 punchouts to just five walks and four total hits allowed over 17 innings. Three of his four starts have been scoreless, two have been hitless and he's amassed at least seven strikeouts each time out.