Pirates' Seth Hernandez Shines in the MLB Futures Game: A Pitching Dominance Showcase
The MLB Futures Game, a showcase of top prospects, recently took place, and it was a pitching extravaganza. Among the standout performers, Pittsburgh Pirates' Seth Hernandez stood out as a true talent. With a perfect 14-pitch inning, Hernandez showcased his versatility, throwing a fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider with precision. His performance was so impressive that it left a lasting impression on observers, including myself.
What makes Hernandez's performance particularly noteworthy is his age and draft status. At just 20 years old, he was the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft, and his talent is undeniable. With a fastball sitting at 99-101 mph and a changeup that was 87-88 on the 20-80 scouting scale, he has the makings of a top-of-the-rotation starter. The fact that he can also flip in a curveball and a slider adds to his arsenal, making him a formidable force on the mound.
Another standout pitcher was Seattle Mariners' Ryan Sloan, who showed five different pitches in his inning of work. His four-seam fastball sat 97-100 mph, and he also demonstrated a two-seamer at 95 mph, along with a kick-change, sweeper, and cutter. While his sweeper is usually his best pitch, he hung one to San Francisco Giants prospect Dakota Jordan, who turned it into a double down the left field line. Ultimately, Sloan's four-seamer and kick-change were his most effective weapons.
Kendry Chourio, a right-hander for the Kansas City Royals, also impressed with his command. At 18 years old, he was the youngest pitcher in the game, and his fastball sat at 98-99 mph with a 12/6 curveball. Chourio's ability to get on top of the ball and drive the fastball down into the zone is a testament to his skill and potential.
The game also featured several college left-handers who were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Kade Anderson of the Mariners started for the American League and showcased a fastball of 93-95 mph, a plus changeup, and an above-average slider. He allowed only a bloop single to MLB's top prospect, Jesús Mercedes of the Milwaukee Brewers, in his inning of work.
Liam Doyle of the St. Louis Cardinals was another standout, throwing 97-99 mph with a downward-breaking slider and a splitter. He got a whiff from Boston Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias, showcasing his ability to deceive batters. Doyle's performance was strong, but he did overthrow a few times, which is not uncommon in this game.
Jamie Arnold of the Athletics was also impressive, throwing 94-96 mph with two- and four-seamers, a slider, and a changeup. He looked much better than he did in the A's Spring Breakout game in March, indicating a positive trajectory for his development.
However, not all pitchers performed to expectations. Washington Nationals' Miguel Sime Jr. hit 101.1 mph but couldn't command his pitches, facing five batters, walking one, giving up two hits, and throwing a wild pitch. Anthony Eyanson, Boston's top pitching prospect, was just 93-94 mph, missing glove side with the fastball, and his slider wasn't sharp either. Kash Mayfield, a left-hander for the San Diego Padres, threw 91-94 mph with a fringy slider and changeup, generating no whiffs and only 13 strikes.
Beyond the pitching, the game featured some impressive hitting. Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling was named MVP for hitting the only home run of the game. His ability to turn on a pitch and hit it for a homer, even though the ball wasn't that hard-hit, showcases his talent. Flewelling saw 96 mph on the first pitch and turned it into a homer to right, leaving his bat at 95 mph.
Theo Gillen, another Rays player, showed his plus speed on a play where he was robbed of a groundball by Jesús Mercedes, who was perfectly positioned. Blue Jays infielder JoJo Parker had the most impressive single swing of the game, ambushing 101 mph from Miguel Sime and nearly homering himself. Parker also had the game's longest at-bat, an eight-pitch affair.
The Milwaukee Brewers' infielders, Jesús Mercedes and Luis Peña, also stood out. Mercedes had a bloop single, a groundout, and a flyout, making a strong play against Theo Gillen. Peña, playing third base, made an outstanding catch on a pop fly down the left field line and showed outstanding bat speed in his three at-bats, flying out all three times, twice at 95 mph off the bat.
In conclusion, the MLB Futures Game was a showcase of talent, with pitching dominating the action. Seth Hernandez's performance was particularly impressive, leaving a lasting impression on observers. The game also featured some standout hitting performances, with Nathan Flewelling and JoJo Parker shining brightly. Overall, the game was a thrilling display of the future of baseball, leaving fans excited for what's to come.
