The Real Appeal of Seth Hernandez Isn’t Becoming "Paul Skenes 2.0"

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

Does Seth Hernandez Have a Paul Skenes - Type Ceiling?

Similarly, Skenes has famously adopted a regimen of discipline, and pregame routine that he follows religiously. In high school, though, he was still a project. He could do it all, including crush military PT benchmarks that helped him gain admission to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Left as is, Skenes still might have become a first-round pick, with many wondering whether he could become the next Shohei Ohtani, especially after winning the 2022 John Olerud Award as the nation’s best two way player.

Only after transferring to LSU did it likely register that Skenes’ ultimate legacy would be strictly on the mound. Pitching coach Wes Johnson had already harnessed elite power arms and turned them into fearful, unhittable aces.

LSU has always been a premier Division 1 baseball program. In recent years though, the University has developed an All-Star list of MLB pitchers.

All Stars Sonny Gray and standout closer Jhoan Duran both refined their skills and reached another level under Johnson’s tutelage as the pitching coach of the Minnesota Twins. At LSU, Skenes' repertoire developed into the machine that is now on display in the Pirates rotation. He is the ultimate example of Johnson’s system brought to fruition.

Now, in 2026, a resurgence is underway in Pittsburgh. A Wild Card berth, and/or more is genuinely realistic. But how long can the Bucs keep Hernandez down while he makes a mockery of the opposition in Bradenton and the Florida State A Ball League?

Unlike Skenes, who blazed triple digit heat past hitters during brief stops at Bradenton, Altoona, and Indy before his Rookie of the Year campaign, Hernandez still seems to be viewed as a project.

Velo Drop Intentional, Or Cause For Concern?

Aside from being 19, another indicator is the slight drop in velocity to focus more on strike efficiency and location. He still touches 98, but almost by design sits around 95 with pinpoint fastball command. His release point and extension are long and high, which is obviously different from Skenes.

The difference maker for Hernandez, and the refining factor he appears to have fully embraced, is his changeup. It is already MLB ready and carries nearly a 75 percent whiff rate. That alone draws comparisons to another perennial Cy Young contender, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who is unfortunately on the injured list for what appears to be an extended stretch.

Maybe Skubal’s recent injury has offered a cautionary tale for Hernandez’s development. With such a lethal and controllable changeup, is there really a need for triple digit heat? It is nice to have in the bag, but the Pirates likely want to rely on both of their aces for years without concerns over wear and tear.

Similar - But Different Pirate Aces

So there it is. Two generational arms with the same ball club who developed similarly, but at different stages, and refined their craft with slightly different arsenals.

Skenes is the innovator, dropping splinkers and sweepers that leave hitters mystified. Hernandez counters with old fashioned bread and butter execution delivered with gold star efficiency.

Quite simply, it is a great time to be a Pirates fan.

Paul Skenes Player Card - Here