The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently causing quite a stir with their latest first-round draft pick, and this buzz is certainly justified. But here's where it gets controversial—the true potential of this player might be even greater than the excitement suggests, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike.
The Pirates boast one of the most highly regarded minor league systems across Major League Baseball, with their top prospects drawing considerable attention. Among these standouts are shortstop Konnor Griffin and right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler, both expected to be significant contributors to the Pittsburgh roster by 2026. But beyond these well-known names, there are several other promising talents down in the lower levels of the minors who are worth watching closely.
One promising young player is right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, who the Pirates selected early in the first round with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft. Hernandez's performances at the high school level were so extraordinary that they fueled serious speculation about him potentially being the top pick last year. His high school career at Corona High School in California was nothing short of remarkable, garnering recognition from Baseball America as the fourth-best high school team nationwide in 2025.
During his two seasons there, Hernandez pitched in 22 games and compiled an astonishing 18-1 record. His ERA—an indicator of how many earned runs he allowed per nine innings—stood at an almost unbelievable 0.51. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was equally impressive, with 178 strikeouts against just 22 walks over 109⅓ innings. Awards like the 2025 Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year added to his growing reputation. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include baseball legends such as Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Witt Jr., and Konnor Griffin himself.
Although Hernandez has yet to make his official debut in professional baseball, he's already caught the eye of scouts and analysts. MLB Pipeline ranked him as high as 27th among their top 100 prospects, a testament to the scouting community’s belief in his potential. Notably, Jim Callis from MLB Pipeline predicted Hernandez could be the Pipeline Pitcher of the Year in 2026, projecting he might pitch around 100 innings and deliver eye-popping performances along the way.
Analytical ratings give us further insight into Hernandez’s formidable talent. On the traditional 20-80 scouting scale, he earned above-average grades in every category, with his fastball rated at an incredible 70—clocked at 101 MPH during a live bullpen session at the Pirates’ Dominican complex last fall. His curveball and changeup also received strong praise, both receiving a 60 and 70 grade respectively, highlighting his well-rounded arsenal.
Beyond the raw numbers, Hernandez’s control and command of his pitches appear advanced for his age. Jim Callis described his stuff as "unbelievable," emphasizing that Hernandez could be a dominant pitcher in the near future. His raw talent and developing skill set have many fans excited about his future.
And this is the part most people miss—Hernandez is just one piece of the Pirates' promising future. Alongside him, prospects like Edward Florentino are also making waves. Florentino, whom MLB Pipeline identified as the 2026 Pipeline Hitter of the Year, shows a different but equally exciting kind of ability.
In the Low-A Bradenton and Florida Complex League, Florentino posted a solid slash line of .290 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and .548 slugging percentage over 83 games. His power stands out with 16 home runs, and despite some concerns about mobility—he's already measured at six foot four at just 18—he's also stolen 35 bases and appears comfortable playing center field.
While all eyes are on whether the Pirates can translate these prospects’ promise into success at the MLB level in 2026, a critical aspect to watch will be how well the organization continues to develop these young talents. The Pirates have established a reputation as a pitching and development powerhouse, and Hernandez seems poised to add to that legacy. Florentino’s emergence hints at a possible shift in their ability to cultivate impactful batting prospects, which has been a recognized struggle outside of Griffin.
If all goes well, fans can hope that both Hernandez and Florentino will climb the ranks steadily, fueling the Pirates’ ambition of becoming a consistent playoff contender in the seasons ahead. But, of course, not everyone agrees on how quickly these prospects can truly impact the team—or how much such hype translates into real success. Do you believe the Pirates’ future stars will live up to the hype, or is the excitement overblown? Share your thoughts below—this is definitely one of those debates worth having.
