In a groundbreaking moment for both sports and high school education, Corona High School in Southern California has become the first high school in history to produce three top‑50 picks in a single Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.
The 2025 Major League Baseball Draft saw right-hander Seth Hernandez selected 6th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed closely by infielder Billy Carlson at No. 10 to the Chicago White Sox, and shortstop Brady Ebel going 32nd to the Milwaukee Brewers.
This remarkable achievement elevates Corona High’s baseball program into the national spotlight and cements its reputation as a modern-day baseball powerhouse. While elite prep programs like IMG Academy have had two early-round picks in the past, no high school had ever placed three players this high in the draft.
MLB had previously forecasted Corona’s rise, spotlighting it as one of the most talent-rich schools for the 2025 class (MLB.com)—and the school more than delivered on that promise.
Pirates Target Corona’s Ace in Strategic Draft Play
The Pittsburgh Pirates, holding the sixth overall pick, made a bold move by selecting Seth Hernandez, the ace pitcher from Corona High. Hernandez’s senior season was nothing short of dominant: he posted a 9–1 record, 0.39 ERA, and 105 strikeouts across just 53.2 innings, earning him California and National Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
Hernandez is known for his advanced four-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball reaching the upper 90s and a devastating changeup. At 6’4″, with a clean delivery and mound presence beyond his years, scouts project him to move quickly through the minor leagues.
The Pirates doubled down on high school pitching by also selecting Angel Cervantes, another standout California arm from Warren High School, with their second-round pick at No. 50. Cervantes, a UCLA commit, tallied 106 strikeouts with a 1.59 ERA during his final season.
These moves highlight Pittsburgh’s continued commitment to building a strong pipeline of young arms—a strategy that includes recent top prospects Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler.
California’s Classroom-to-Clubhouse Pipeline
The success of Corona High is not an isolated case but part of a broader trend: California remains the heartbeat of high school baseball talent. According to Sports Illustrated, 20 of the top 108 high school prospects in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft came from California—many of whom are two-way players with college-level maturity.
What sets schools like Corona apart is their emphasis on structured athletic programs, supportive educational environments, and robust competition. These institutions act as talent incubators, helping students balance academics with athletic development—a critical factor in preparing them for both professional sports and higher education opportunities.
The 2025 Major League Baseball Draft not only marks a milestone for Corona High but also reinforces the vital role of education in shaping pro-ready athletes. The blend of elite instruction, discipline, and school-based competition continues to produce players who are ready—mentally, physically, and emotionally—for the leap to professional baseball.
The journey of Seth Hernandez, Billy Carlson, and Brady Ebel from high school classrooms to MLB clubhouses is more than a sports story—it’s a testament to how education and athletics can coexist and thrive together.
Their achievement signals a shift in how scouts view high school programs—not just as talent pools, but as environments where student-athletes are holistically developed. For young players and educators nationwide, Corona High’s draft success stands as a model of what can be accomplished with the right blend of coaching, curriculum, and community support.
As Major League Baseball continues to look toward younger prospects, schools like Corona may very well become the new gold standard in baseball development.
Sources:
https://www.mlb.com/news/corona-high-school-makes-mlb-draft-history