Minor League Baseball named Bradenton Marauders right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez the Florida State League Top MLB Prospect for 2026 on Sept. 16. Hernandez made six starts for the Bradenton Marauders before his call-up to High-A Greensboro on May 12. He recorded 50 strikeouts over 28.0 innings and posted a 0.96 ERA in those outings.
Hernandez recorded at least seven strikeouts in each of his six appearances, including three consecutive outings with nine strikeouts. The 20-year-old from Pomona, California, finished the year 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 74.0 innings. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Hernandez earned two Florida State League honors in April
Hernandez was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week on April 27 for his performance against the Clearwater Threshers on April 24. He recorded his first nine-strikeout performance and allowed one hit over 5.0 scoreless innings. Hernandez also was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Month for April after going 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA, 32 strikeouts and five walks in 17.0 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect climbed rankings
Hernandez entered the 2026 season ranked No. 26 among all baseball prospects and currently ranks No. 7 according to MLB.com. He also ranks as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ No. 1 prospect. Hernandez followed Daytona’s Alfredo Duno, the 2025 Florida State League Top MLB Prospect, and Lakeland’s Max Clark, the 2024 honoree.
Source: Original report