Seth Hernandez is shoving to a degree of dominance that immediately draws comparisons to Pirates ace and reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes. When taking a closer look, though, the intangibles that make both generational pitching prodigies truly special are not exactly the same.
Sure, both were tagged as potential two way players while prepping at SoCal baseball factory high schools, El Toro for Skenes and Corona for Hernandez. In addition to his dominance on the diamond, Skenes also excelled in football and basketball. He could have pursued any of the big three sports. With his gifted athletic ability and 6.6″ frame, he might have been projected as QB1 for a top ranked college football program.
Elite Talent From Public High Schools
Hernandez, along with teammate and fellow first round classmate Billy Carlson, likely had the tools to stand out, and letter in every sport imaginable. Instead, they turned their efforts entirely towards baseball.
Perhaps it was that decision that expedited Hernandez’s development and, in effect, catapulted his ETA on the active Pittsburgh Pirates roster to much sooner than later. At age 19, he appears to be at nearly the same developmental stage that Skenes reached at age 21, before becoming the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, and 2025 Cy Young winner.
That tunnel vision and commitment to mastery on the mound were refined by Corona Head Coach Andy Wise, a teacher first and one of the most respected amateur coaches in the country. Wise found success as a fluid, and controlled pitcher at Long Beach State before an eight year stint in pro ball. Since 2009, Wise has developed a reputation at Corona, as an elite manager of young talent.
He undoubtedly could have climbed the coaching ladder through Southern California powerhouse community college programs such as Cypress or Diablo Valley, then moved into a tenured Division I pitching coach role. Instead, he chose to build a career at Corona. Seth Hernandez is his prodigy, the ultimate result of coaching pedigree, commitment, and discipline.
Hernandez bought in and became the top high school arm in the country entering the 2025 draft.
“I don’t think I’d get too big of an argument, but on my end, Seth Hernandez is the best baseball player I have ever seen and ever been around. I’ve been fortunate enough to be around a lot of dudes.” — Coach Andy Wise
