BRADENTON, Fla. — When Seth Hernandez gets the start Friday for the Pirates’ Spring Breakout game, he’ll do so with a healthy understanding and respect for who’s come before him in this event.
Paul Skenes in 2024.
Bubba Chandler last year.
Hernandez knows he has a tradition to uphold. The Pirates’ 2025 first-round pick also feels incredibly humbled and motivated to take the ball against some of the Detroit Tigers’ top prospects at LECOM Park.
“It’s awesome,” Hernandez said. “When you put me on a list with Skenes and Bubba, those guys are electric. They have incredible stuff. I strive to be like them, see what they do and how they succeed and learn from it.”
Drawing a line from Skenes to Chandler to Hernandez is not only appropriate for the Spring Breakout game but also for what makes the Corona, Calif., native special as a pitcher, including more uncommon maturity for a 19-year-old.
Hernandez (MLB Pipeline No. 29 overall) has flashed triple-digit velocity this spring while displaying a polished arsenal of secondary stuff: a 12-to-6 curve with a high spin rate, a harder slider and a changeup for which he has an advanced feel.
Three of the four have at least 60 grades on scouts’ 20-to-80 scale. At the same time, Hernandez is also known for having a loose, repeatable delivery — relatively rare for someone so young.
But the best trait belonging to Hernandez — who was named the 2025 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year — probably isn’t physical. It’s his mindset or approach: humble, curious and extremely self-aware.
It’s a lot like Skenes or Chandler, even Konnor Griffin on the position player side. Likability mixed with intensity, confidence but also a burning desire to always improve.
“You can get big-headed being a first-round pick,” Hernandez said. “But when you’re here, everybody’s on the same level.
“You want to be a professional but also be yourself and be cool. You have to be a good teammate and a good player.”
Hernandez has been careful to check both of those boxes equally.
He struck out nine of 11 batters he faced in intrasquad action, then five more during a recent prospect game against the Braves. But prior to that, in the winter, Hernandez said his focus was staying low-key and committing to the work, plus pouring into those around him.
“I just put my head down and really trained as hard as I could to get bigger and stronger,” said Hernandez, who's listed at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds. “I mainly spent time with family, friends and my girlfriend, just because I knew it was going to be a long season and I wouldn’t have as many opportunities as much anymore. You can’t take that stuff for granted.”
Hernandez arrived in Bradenton on Jan. 11, intentionally getting here early because he wanted to get to know a bunch of teammates for his first Spring Training experience and lay groundwork for off-the-field relationships.
On the mound, Hernandez has been trying to improve his fastball shape and consistency, specifically with more ride and carry on the pitch. There have been other small things like cleaning up the grip on his slider and perfecting mechanics — work that has obviously gone well.
When Major Leaguers were at Pirate City, Hernandez played catch with Braxton Ashcraft and got the chance to pick a few older pitchers’ brains. There was another day where he just went to big league camp to watch and take some mental notes.
“I wanted to visualize, see what they do and how they prepare,” Hernandez said. “Everybody here is a stud, so you could always ask someone a question and they’ll have a good answer for you.”
When Skenes started this game, he struck out two of his first three batters. His first three pitches all went at least 100.6 mph. Chandler followed with two perfect frames, striking out four.
Hernandez isn’t a huge numbers guy. When asked about his goals for the season, they centered around working hard, improving each day and being a good teammate.
Stuff that’s impossible not to like.
The Pirates have a history of showcasing elite arms this game, and Hernandez certainly qualifies as the next one. He’s done everything right so far and has an incredible head on his shoulders.
It’s only a matter of time until his personal breakout.
“The athletic trainers, strength and conditioning staff, coaches, mental skills staff … everyone here has been so great to me,” Hernandez said. “They’ve taken me into their family, almost like a newborn. They’re watching me and protecting me.
“Obviously it’s a blessing to start a game like that, especially with the prospects we have and all the great pitchers have in this organization. It’s gonna be a special day.”
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.