America’s Best High School Pitcher Has Insane Heat on the Mound: Where Will Seth Hernandez Land in Saturday’s MLB Draft?
Anwar Stetson
Much like real estate is about location, modern pitching is about velocity–and 19-year-old Seth Hernandez has the velo to match the best in the majors.
Hitting triple digits on the radar, Hernandez’s powerful fastball helped him become the Gatorade National Player of the Year in June. With the MLB draft less than a week away, the Corona High School (Calif.) graduate could be a star in the making.
MLB veteran Dexter Fowler surprised Hernandez with the award at Corona’s baseball field. After being swarmed by his teammates, the 6’4’’ pitcher handed the trophy to his grandmother in a show of gratitude.
Hernandez is the third-ranked prospect in Sunday’s draft according to MLB.com, and though his chances are slim, he has a chance to be the first right-handed pitcher to go No. 1 overall straight out of high school.
MLB teams historically take college talent or lefties from the mound if they decide to take a pitcher No. 1, but Hernandez’s flaming fastballs could sway a franchise like the Washington Nationals.
The Nats selected future franchise legend Stephen Strasbourg No. 1 overall in 2009. His fastball reached 100 in his debut.
Committed to one of the nation’s most storied programs, Hernandez will play at baseball powerhouse Vanderbilt if he decides not to go pro. Due to MLB draft rules, if a player decides to attend a four-year college or university instead of going pro, they are only eligible to be drafted again three years after first enrolling, or after their 21st birthday (whichever occurs first).
The Southern California native also has some great stuff outside of his fastball, with a commanding slider, curveball, and changeup in his arsenal.
Hernandez helped Corona win the CIF Division 1 Championship over Harvard-Westlake in 2024. Hernandez went 17-0 in the 2025 regular season, but the No. 1 seeded Corona Panthers were stunned in the semifinal matchup against St. John Bosco. Hernandez was credited with his only loss of the year in the 2-0 shutout.