CORONA — Corona High School baseball standout Seth Hernandez believed he was on campus Thursday morning for one final meeting with coaches and teammates.
It was all a ruse.
Hernandez walked out of the team room and was greeted by former Major League Baseball player Dexter Fowler, who handed over a trophy and announced Hernandez as the winner of this year’s Gatorade National Player of the Year honor. Hernandez was immediately rushed by teammates who watched the presentation from the dugout.
“I was super surprised man,” said Hernandez, who earlier in the week was revealed as Gatorade’s California State Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
“I honestly woke up this morning just going though my normal day and normal routine and then ended up having a meeting with coach (Andy) Wise. And then right after, all the guys and everybody, all my family and friends and everybody who’s supported me showed up. And that just was the best feeling ever, to be honest. It was great.”
Hernandez said he knew something was up a few seconds after he walked out of the team room and onto the field.
“I saw four camerapeople. I knew there wouldn’t be that many for a team photo. And then all eyes were on me, and Dexter came out with the trophy. It was awesome.”
Hernandez is widely regarded as the best high school pitcher in the nation. He has signed with Vanderbilt but is expected to be a high pick in the upcoming MLB Draft.
The 6-foot-5 senior right hander went 9-1 with a 0.37 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings. He also starred at the plate, batting .300 with seven homers and 30 RBI. In two seasons at Corona, Hernandez was 18-1 with a 0.51 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings. He batted .327 with 15 homers and 64 RBI over those two years.
There were large crowds every time Hernandez took the mound this season, and those spectators included dozens of professional scouts and front office personnel.
“You just kind of blur everything out when you step on the field,” Hernandez said about the scouts. “You got to play for your teammates and you got to play to win and go out and compete. You can’t think about trying to throw hard for the scouts or trying to be a perfect player. … Going out and competing is the only thing you can focus on.”
Hernandez is the 40th Gatorade National Player of the Year Award winner and just the fourth from California to be bestowed the honor. The previous two Golden State recipients also were from Inland Empire schools. Patriot’s Kyle Skipworth and Norco’s Matt Hobgood were back-to-back Inland winners in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
“Don’t know a whole lot of history about it to be quite honest with you,” Hernandez said. “But the fact I can bring it back to the IE, which is where I grew up, is awesome. Hopefully it opens the gateway for more players out here and bring more publicity to the area.”
Other past winners of the national award include Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Zack Greinke, Justin Upton, Clayton Kershaw, MacKenzie Gore an Bobby Witt Jr.
GATORADE NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2025: Seth Hernandez, Corona HS (California)
2024: Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep (Mississippi)
2023: Max Clark, Franklin Community HS (Indiana)
2022: Brock Porter, St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan)
2021: Dylan Lesko, Buford HS (Georgia)
2020: Jared Kelley, Refugio HS (Texas)
2019: Bobby Witt Jr., Colleyville Heritage HS (Texas)
2018: Ryan Weathers, Loretto HS (Tennessee)
2017: MacKenzie Gore, Whiteville HS (North Carolina)
2016: Kyle Muller, Jesuit College Prep (Texas)
2015: Luken Baker, Oak Ridge HS (Texas)
2014: Justus Sheffield, Tullahoma HS (Tennessee)
2013: Clint Frazier, Loganville HS (Georgia)
2012: Lance McCullers, Jesuit HS (Florida)
2011: Dylan Bundy, Owasso HS (Oklahoma)
2010: Kaleb Cowart, Cook HS (Georgia)
2009: Matt Hobgood, Norco HS (California)
2008: Kyle Skipworth, Patriot HS (California)
2007: Rick Porcello, Seton Hall Prep (New Jersey)
2006: Clayton Kershaw, High Park HS (Texas)
2005: Justin Upton, Great Bridge HS (Virginia)
2004: Mark Rogers, Mt. Ararat HS (Maine)
2003: Chris Lubanksi, Kennedy-Kenrcik HS (Pennsylvania)
2002: Zack Greinke, Apopka HS (Florida)
2001: Casey Kotchman, Seminole HS (Florida)
2000: Jason Stoke, Coppell HS (Texas)
1999: B.J. Garbe, Moses Lake HS (Washington)
1998: Drew Henson, Brighton HS (Michigan)
1997: Darnell McDonald, Cherry Creek HS (Colorado)
1996: Matt White, Waynesboro HS (Pennsylvania)
1995: Chad Hutchinson, Torrey Pines HS (California)
1994: Doug Million, Sarasota HS (Florida)
1993: Alex Rodriguez, Westminster Christian (Florida)
1992: A.J. Hinch, Midwest City HS (Oklahoma)
1991: Brian Barber, Dr. Phillips HS (Florida)
1990: Todd Van Poppel, Martin HS (Texas)
1989: Jeffrery Jackson, Simeon HS (Illinois)
1988: Mark Lewis, Hamilton HS (Ohio)
1987: Willie Banks, St. Anthony HS (New Jersey)
1986: Gary Sheffield, Hillsborough HS (Florida)
