Seth

Hernandez

Hernandez, the first high school pitcher selected this year, takes just below the slot value of $7.56 million as the No. 6 pick. He was committed to Vanderbilt, but there was never any real chance that he’d get there.

Hernandez is viewed as not only the top prep pitching prospect in this draft, but one of the best of the past several years. The 6-foot-4 right-hander will touch the high-90 mph range without much effort, and there’s the potential for more as he fills out his frame. He also offers two swing-and-miss pitches in his curveball and change, with a slider that isn’t far behind. Hernandez gets rave reviews for his feel for pitching, and he should throw more than enough strikes to be a starter at the highest level. The risk is obvious; he’s a young pitcher who throws hard, but he has a chance to be the best pitcher -- maybe even player -- in the class.