The Pittsburgh Pirates entering the 2026 MLB season had the third-ranked farm system in the sport. Well, shortstop Konnor Griffin and right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler graduated from the prospects lists and the farm system ranking took a tumble. The mlb.com website ranked the Pirates farm system now 13th despite having right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez and outfielder Edward Florentino in the system. Pittsburgh still has a very talented system.
BRADENTON, FL – MARCH 20: Seth Hernandez #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Hernandez was the sixth overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft. He pitched in the future’s game this season. Hernandez is projected to be a future frontline starter with the Pirates organization. He is currently pitching in High-A with the Greensboro Grasshoppers and is also currently on the seven-day injured list.
MLB Analyst Raves About Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospect RHP Seth Hernandez
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 22: Seth Hernandez talks with Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after being signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rayni Shiring/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Sam Dysktra, Jim Callis, and Jonathan Mayo all wrote about the updated farm system rankings on MLB.com. They are impressed with Hernandez in the Pirates organization. In the article, it said about him,
“When you graduate the top prospect in the game (Konnor Griffin) and one of the best pitching prospects around (Bubba Chandler), you’re going to take a tumble. Luckily for the Pirates, it’s not that far thanks to a still deep system with exciting top-end talent. Before getting hurt, Hernandez proved to be one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the game and the trio of bats in the Top 100 includes their first-round pick (Curiel) and one of the biggest breakout prospects anywhere in the Minors (Gray).”
Hernandez is 6’4″ and weighs 190 lbs. He is only 20 years old and is the seventh best prospect overall on MLB.com. During the 2026 minor league baseball season, he has pitched in 18 games. Hernandez has pitched in 74.0 innings and has given up 47 hits and 21 runs. He also walked 31 batters and has struck out 118 batters. His WHIP is 1.05.
He is not projected to reach the MLB level until the 2028 MLB season. Hernandez has a lot of good stuff to work with in his arsenal. He is going to be another good pitcher for the Pirates as long as he can develop properly.
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