The Pittsburgh Pirates made things official with first-round pick Seth Hernandez, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft.

On Tuesday, the right-handed pitcher signed with the Pirates, forgoing a college commitment to the Vanderbilt University. 

Considered by some to be the top high school pitching prospect in draft history, Hernandez has an impressive pitch arsenal led by a power fastball that flirts with triple digits. He also throws a 12-to-6 curveball, a changeup – which is considered his top pitch – and a slider with command of the strike zone.

The 19-year-old went 9-1 with a 0.39 ERA, 105 strikeouts and seven walks across 53.1 innings during his senior season with Corona High School in California. He finished his two-year career at Corona with an 18-1 record, a 0.51 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 109.1 innings pitched across 22 starts/21 appearances.

Hernandez was named the 2025 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, giving the Pirates the last two recipients after 2024 first-rounder Konnor Griffin took home the honor last year.

Baseball America ranked Hernandez as their second-best prospect in this year’s draft, while MLB Pipeline had him No. 3. 

On Monday, the Pirates signed three of their 2025 draftees, including compensation pick Murf Gray, a third baseman from Fresno State. The Pirates have now signed four of their 21 draft picks in this year’s class.Â