Seth Hernandez leads anticipated pro debuts for Pirates in 2026
Pirates had several notable players who didn't debut after the 2025 draft
Over half of the Pirates’ 2025 draft class that signed made their professional debut before the end of the season. Three of those players actually made it to High-A Greensboro, two of whom jumped straight there.
That leaves eight players the Pirates selected who have yet to make their pro debuts, including three of their top four picks (who remain and are still in the system).
The highlight of that group is Seth Hernandez, who was the Pirates’ first-round pick, sixth overall. There are some who believe that Hernandez was the top player in the entire draft, with chatter even about him going first overall.
Instead, he fell to the Pirates with the sixth pick, and although he didn’t make his pro debut, they were able to get him a couple of innings in the Dominican Instructional League, where he flashed the advanced stuff that made him one of the highest-rated prep pitchers to come through the draft in recent history.
Depending on how aggressive the Pirates want to be with him, it’s easy to see a scenario where he makes it to Greensboro by the end of the season. With four advanced pitches, including a change-up that Baseball America slapped a ‘70’ grade on, the lower levels may not be able to contain him for long.
Their third pick of the draft came in the Competitive Balance Round B, drafting Murf Gray out of Fresno State. He’s an opposing force in the batter’s box - listed at 6’4” and 230 pounds.
While that might lead you to believe he might be a classic power-over-hit profile, the Pirates believe there is plenty of hit there. According to FanGraphs, he posted a ‘70’ grade in zone contact rate, also connecting on 91% of the fastballs he saw within the strike zone.
He always has some success with wood bats on his resume, playing in the Cape Cod League back in 2024. A third baseman by trade, he has the arm to play on the left side of the dirt, but there are questions due to his size about whether he’ll end up being a first baseman long term.
Based on his draft position and contact skills, there’s a chance he moves straight to Greensboro to start 2026.
Drafted out of Puerto Rico, Gustavo Melendez was the team’s fourth-round pick. Where Gray is listed at 6’4”, Gray is on the opposite side - his player page has him standing at 5’8”.
It’s a slick left-handed swing that many believe will lead to at least an above-average hit tool; the question will be how much power he runs into. Many believe he’ll have more thump than his size would indicate, but even that may end up below-average.
He also has the arm to play shortstop, but his size leads many to believe he’ll eventually slide over to second. Odds are he’ll begin his pro career in the Complex League, with a chance to make it to Bradenton by the time the season is over.
Melendez is playing Winter Ball in Puerto Rico, facing those who are, on average, 10 years older than him.
One thing that he’ll have working for him: Melendez will be 18 for the entire regular season, with an October birthday.
When the Pirates failed to sign Angel Cervantes, their second-round pick, they shifted focus and took four prep players later on: Connor Hamilton, McLane Moody, Carter Gwost, and Nick Frusco.
They were only able to sign Gwost and Moody, both of whom saw some time in the DIL along with Hernandez.
Moody is a projection super-prospect. Standing at 6’7”, there’s plenty of room to fill out and add velocity down the road. The fastball flashed some positive shape characteristics in the DIL, as well as a slider.
The Pirates will likely take their time with Moody, who should play the entire 2026 FCL season, but perhaps with a small taste of Low-A to close out the year.
Gwost was drafted out of Minnesota, not the biggest baseball hotbed. There wasn’t much information on Gwost, but it does look like he has a nice, short swing that still generates plenty of pop.
He was also a guest on the Pirates’ podcast “Bucco Bantr.”
The last player here, Michael Castillo, wasn’t a part of the Pirates’ draft class but a late international signing who didn’t get a chance to debut in the DSL.
Instead, he played a few games for the Pirates during the DIL, in which he flashed a solid fastball, as well as a slider. He’s a bit on the older end (turned 21 in late October), but he looked advanced enough that he should be able to jump straight to Bradenton to begin 2026, even if it is as a reliever to start.
He’s a player I highlighted in my recap of some of the DIL action I saw on the Pirates’ stream on YouTube.
Reports on pitchers throwing in the Dominican Instructs
While the Arizona Fall League takes more of the attention in the prospect world, there are still some other games going on in the world. Currently, in the Dominican Republic, teams are hosting instructions, accompanied by more informal scrimmages similar to the Bridge League that takes place at the Complex after the FCL season concludes.
The majority of these players will be spending most of the 2026 season in Bradenton, making the Marauders and the FCL team two of the more notable affiliates this year.
With the level of expertise that this site generates, would someone please explain to me the following scout's rating of Seth Hernandez.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
How could he have such high grades in the five categories and still only have an overall rating of 55.
I would appreciate a layman's explanation.
First I've heard about Gwost's hamate break. That boden't well for this year.