Years from now, when Seth Hernandez is pitching within the main leagues and professional baseball commentators are debating simply how good he may turn into, those that noticed him throw throughout his two years of highschool baseball at Corona Excessive will gladly supply their fondest recollections.
The statistics are spectacular sufficient: In 53 1/3 innings this season, he struck out 105, gave up 19 hits and three earned runs for an ERA of 0.39. Probably the most spectacular statistic was strolling solely seven batters whereas utilizing a 99-mph fastball. It confirmed his pinpoint management and the way a lot he had improved over his junior season, when he walked 15 in 56 innings.
“That was his goal,” coach Andy Sensible mentioned. “What are we going to do to get better?”
His pitching mechanics turned extra constant, producing the sort of energy and accuracy to trigger folks to repeatedly use the phrase “special” in describing him on the mound. There additionally was the time he hit two three-run homers within the Panthers’ Southern Part Division 1 playoff victory over Los Osos.
Seth Hernandez of Corona.
(Nick Koza)
He wasn’t excellent, although, shedding 2-0 to St. John Bosco within the Division 1 semifinals, ending his highschool profession with an 18-1 pitching document for 2 seasons. He didn’t mope. He didn’t make excuses afterward. He knew there can be extra challenges forward.
“I’m still a kid,” he mentioned.
For a season of excellence, Hernandez has been named The Instances’ baseball participant of the 12 months for the second consecutive season. He’s anticipated to be a excessive choose in subsequent month’s novice draft. He additionally was named the Gatorade nationwide participant of the 12 months.
One in every of his strengths for years has been his skill to carry out whereas being watched by scouts, followers and opponents. He’s snug in his atmosphere, used to the eye and is especially prepared to start his professional profession and carry on a path towards pitching within the large leagues.
With Southern California having produced first-round draft picks reminiscent of Paul Skenes (El Toro), Gerrit Cole (Orange Lutheran), Trevor Bauer (Hart), Max Fried (Harvard-Westlake) and Jack Flaherty (Harvard-Westlake) in recent times, it’s fairly clear that Hernandez’s resume matches in nicely and gives confidence in his talents.
He’s additionally glad he determined to play highschool baseball after being home-schooled.
“At the end of the day, I have brothers for life and I’ll never forget the memories I spent with them,” he mentioned of his highschool days.
