Pittsburgh Pirates' Top Prospect Seth Hernandez to Start Spring Breakout Game The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, one of their top prospects in the farm system, will start in the annual Spring Breakout Game. The event, which showcases the best young talent from both teams, will take place on March 20 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. Hernandez will face the Detroit Tigers in a matchup set for 7:35 p.m. ET, with MLB Network broadcasting the game for fans. The Spring Breakout Game serves as a platform for emerging prospects to demonstrate their skills, and Hernandez is expected to make a strong impression. Ranked as the Pirates’ top pitching prospect for the event, he is the second-highest-rated pitcher on the team behind Bubba Chandler. His talent has also earned him a place among the league’s top prospects, with rankings of 29th on MLB Pipeline, 38th on Baseball America, and 49th on ESPN. Hernandez was selected by the Pirates with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft from Corona High School in California. His performance in high school has already drawn attention, and the opportunity to showcase his abilities in a professional setting will be a key step in his development. Hernandez’s potential as a future ace is supported by his physical tools and advanced mechanics. His fastball routinely reaches 100 mph, and his changeup exhibits significant movement, reaching the high-80s. He also possesses a reliable slider and curveball, which he will continue to refine in 2026. Pirates catcher Rafael Flores Jr., who worked with Hernandez during the offseason, praised his work ethic and confidence. “19-year-olds shouldn’t be throwing 100 mph, and he is,” Flores said at PiratesFest. “That shows how hard he works.#detroit_tigers #pittsburgh_pirates #seth_hernandez #spring_breakout_game #rafael_flores_jr
