Seth Hernandez

Hernandez is part of the draft's riskiest subset -- prep righties -- but of that subset, there have been few prospects in recent decades who are as easy to dream on. The Pirates selected him sixth overall in 2025 and he will make his pro debut this year. He checks every box a prep righty could check, although in some circles, the ideal velocity range for a teenager is the low-90s, to allow for a slower climb in velocity as they develop. Hernandez, who turns 20 in the middle of the 2026 season, can already touch triple digits with his upper-90s fastball. His changeup is an even better pitch, and one of the best changeups in the minors. Hernandez boasts a pair of above-average breaking balls and above-average control and should move as quickly as the Pirates allow. He has a prototypical 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame and clear ace upside, but with prep righties, they can look perfect on paper right before something unexpected goes wrong. Countless teenagers with Hernandez's velocity need Tommy John surgery early in their careers, but he has the highest ceiling of anyone in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft. Read Past Outlooks