Pirates' Hernandez stuns Tigers' Clark with 102 mph fastball in Spring Breakout game

Top pitching prospect Seth Hernandez showcases his electric stuff in front of a crowd for the first time

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:51am

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Seth Hernandez, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect, made his Spring Breakout game debut against the Detroit Tigers and immediately turned heads. The right-hander's first pitch to Tigers prospect Max Clark was clocked at 102.4 mph, leaving Clark in awe. Hernandez went on to hit triple digits on 11 of his 21 pitches, also featuring a nasty 12-6 curveball and a deceptive changeup that kept the Tigers' hitters off balance.

Why it matters

Hernandez, the Pirates' 6th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, is considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. His dominant Spring Breakout performance has Pirates fans excited about the future, as the team looks to build around its talented young core.

The details

In his first outing in front of a crowd since being drafted, the 22-year-old Hernandez overwhelmed Tigers prospect Max Clark, the #10 overall prospect in baseball. Five of Hernandez's six pitches to Clark were clocked at 100 mph or faster, with the first offering reaching 102.4 mph. Beyond his overpowering fastball, Hernandez also showcased a knee-buckling 12-6 curveball and a deceptive changeup that kept the Tigers' hitters off balance throughout his outing.

  • Hernandez made his Spring Breakout game debut on Friday night (March 21, 2026).

The players

Seth Hernandez

The Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect, selected 6th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft. Hernandez is known for his electric stuff, including a fastball that can reach triple digits.

Max Clark

A top prospect in the Detroit Tigers' system, ranked #10 overall in baseball. Clark was the first batter Hernandez faced in the Spring Breakout game.

Phillip Wellman

The High-A Greensboro bench coach who managed the Pirates' prospects in the Spring Breakout game against the Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“Amped up or not, it's legit stuff. I've been following Seth since high school. I've been waiting for it; I was excited that he's getting the start. I knew he was gonna be fired up. And that first pitch at 102 did look a little bit like a beam of light, I'll tell you that.”

— Max Clark

“It's overpowering, and it's electric... He's big, he's strong and the first time he cuts loose a fastball, everybody's gonna go, 'Whoa.' It'll grab your attention, but he's got a nasty breaking ball [and a] nasty curveball. For a young man of that age to be able to do what he can do is impressive.”

— Phillip Wellman, High-A Greensboro bench coach

What’s next

Hernandez is expected to start the 2026 season at the Pirates' Double-A affiliate, where he will look to continue his rapid ascent through the minor league system.

The takeaway

Hernandez's dominant Spring Breakout performance has Pirates fans buzzing about the team's future, as the hard-throwing right-hander showcased the electric stuff that has made him one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.