A highschool proper handed pitcher has by no means gone primary total within the historical past of the MLB Draft. There may be good cause for this, as highschool righty’s are the riskiest demographic of all. Nevertheless, Seth Hernandez of Corona Excessive College is a particular expertise and is within the combine to go very excessive this yr.
Traditionally, prep proper handers have been very dangerous. Even prior to now 10 or so years, I bear in mind flame throwers like Tyler Kolek and Riley Pint having a ton of hype earlier than not panning out. Nevertheless, as we study extra about evaluating pitching, may we change into higher at discovering the most effective highschool arms? Guys like Jackson Jobe and Andrew Painter have been very extremely regarded highschool righties which have been drafted in recent times, and seem like they’ll come good.
In accordance with Baseball America, Seth Hernandez has essentially the most upside within the class. That’s the reason he was taken third total within the current mock draft they did, forward of bats like Ethan Holliday, Jace Laviolette and Aiva Arquette.
He seems to be like your prototypical pitcher. Hernandez is 6’4 190 kilos with a mid to higher 90’s fastball. Apparently, his finest secondary pitch is a knockout changeup that performs superbly off of his fastball. Today, it’s extra widespread to see excessive schoolers finest secondary pitches be an influence breaking ball than a changeup. Not like quite a lot of guys who depend on a changeup, Hernandez can spin a breaking ball too, together with his curveball registering elite spin charges.
Hernandez additionally finds the strike zone, one thing that separates him from quite a lot of the failed highschool righties of yesteryear. It could be extra management than command proper now, however that command is projected to return as he matures. MLB Pipeline additionally famous how sturdy Hernandez’s character is and the way he is ready to make changes. That capability to adapt and make changes is such a key piece of the trendy sport. Guys come out with new pitches yearly, in order that aptitude is essential.
It’s a little bit of an oxymoron, however Hernandez is as secure because it comes for a highschool righty. The Nats have additionally executed job growing pitchers currently, so choosing Hernandez performs into their strengths. It’s also doubtless that Hernandez could be an underneath slot choice, which might permit them to do some enjoyable issues with their huge bonus pool down the board.
Going underslot is dangerous, but additionally mitigates threat. An ideal instance of that is the 2021 Pirates draft. Their first total choose Henry Davis has not produced the way in which the crew hoped. Nevertheless, with the cash that they saved they bought Bubba Chandler within the third spherical, one thing they wouldn’t have been in a position to do in any other case. So even when Hernandez doesn’t hit, the cash they save will give the Nats extra photographs in a draft that’s seen as missing in positive issues on the high, however heavy in depth.
Seth Hernandez is a really thrilling prospect, but additionally a dangerous one. There will likely be some within the fanbase that don’t need to take the chance, and that’s comprehensible. Nevertheless, Hernandez has ace upside and permits the Nats to spend extra money later within the draft. Brad Ciolek, who runs the Nats draft room has quite a lot of expertise going underslot, each in Baltimore and final yr with the Nats. It’s an attention-grabbing choice in a draft with a ton of uncertainty on the high, however quite a lot of depth down the board.
