DOB: 6/28/06 (19)
HT: 6-4
WT: 190
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2025 MLB Draft, 1st Round (Overall 6)
Highest Level: A
ETA: 2028
EVALUATOR: John Brophy
| FB | CB | CT | CH | Control | OFP | Risk |
| 60 | 45 | 30 | 50 | 50 | 55 | High |
PHYSICAL
Tall frame with a lot of room to grow. Some concerns may arise once Hernandez builds more muscle regarding control of pitches, but he is somewhat lanky for his 6-foot-4 frame. Despite this, Hernandez can still reach triple digits on occasion.
STRENGTHS
Hernandez has an exceptional plus four-seam fastball, regularly hitting upper-90s if not in the triple digits. Hernandez also works quickly, which may be attributed to his relationship with his battery mate, Edgleen Perez.
WEAKNESSES
Middling control on his four-seam fastball. Except for his curveball, his off-speed pitches do not show a lot of movement. Hernandez almost seems to spike his cutter into the dirt by the plate.
SUMMARY
Hernandez relies on the four-seamer, which regularly sits upper-90s, but it doesn’t have a lot of movement and is relatively flat but has some late rise. Hernandez has some issues with control on the fastball, but when it’s on, he can be lights out with it.
Hernandez throws three off-speed pitches. The change-up, which sits low-80s, shows the same movement as the fastball, which is good to confuse batters. Hernandez also flashed a cutter and curveball, the latter of which is a bit of a slurve, considering it has some late horizontal break. The cutter sits upper-80s and is easily his weakest pitch, but does induce some whiffs.
Hernandez lives up to the hype, but is definitely not on the same trajectory as their previous 1st round pitcher, Paul Skenes, as expected since Hernandez was drafted out of high school and Skenes from LSU. Hernandez needs time to polish his pitches and build upper-body muscle, but will serve as a fine #2 in the Pirates’ rotation in no time.
MEDIA
