PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – “These guys you’re facing, they’re trying to take food off your plate.”

Let’s just start with this statement from recently turned 20-year-old pitcher Seth Hernandez to give you an idea of the mentality of the Pirates number one pick last year. In his first full season the righty has 111 strikeouts in only 69 innings. He’s 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA, a 1.97 WHIP and .183 batting average against.

Hernandez blew threw Class A Bradenton, they promoted him after only six starts with 50 strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA in 28 innings. He’s been clocked over 102 mph, but early in his time at Greensboro, he faced some adversity.

Well, not right away, he threw five hitless innings in his first start, but over his next 16.2 innings, he allowed 10 runs and walked 13 batters.

What is also unique about Hernandez, he smiled about having some ‘struggles’ in High A.

“I think the game of baseball doesn’t really care how you feel on some days, but yeah, it’s been good for me to be able to come to Greensboro,” Hernandez said last week. “Greensboro is known to be a hitter’s ballpark, so to come here and fail a little bit, I think it’s been good for me, good for the mental. Once me and Flo get to the big leagues, I think there’s going to be more adversity to be dealt, so to be able to do it now and learn and overcome it, I think it’s big, for sure.”

In his last three starts, 12.2 innings, one run, 17 strikeouts and six walks.

Hernandez said he’s looking forward to testing himself against the best prospects Sunday. He said he really doesn’t pay attention to the eyeballs on him, he just wants to go out and compete.

Those eyeballs grow by every start and then the anticipation of him eventually pitching in the majors. Hernandez says he’s just trying to enjoy where his feet are.

“You want to be in the big leagues,” Hernandez told Pittsburgh reporters. “That’s where you want to be at. For me, I want to be present day-by-day. That’s a big one. The experiences and relationships you create now, I never want to take those for granted.”

“Being here in Greensboro has been a blessing, to be around so many great players and such great talent. And, man, everyone on our team is just so humble. It’s amazing to come to the field every day. All the coaches are amazing. Just be present and don’t take any day for granted.”

It would be unlikely the Pirates rush Hernandez to the majors. There is the potential for him to pitch at AA Altoona, as Paul Skenes did towards the end of his first season (Skenes did that during his draft year), but management seems in no rush. It’s up to him to force that decision as he did in Bradenton.

For now, an opportunity to see him against the best Sunday in Philadelphia.