Tigers Prospect Max Clark Reacts to 102.4 mph Fastball from Pirates' Seth Hernandez in Spring Breakout Game
Detroit Tigers prospect Max Clark, serving as the leadoff batter, had a visible reaction to a 102.4 mph fastball thrown above the zone on the first pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Seth Hernandez during an MLB Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida.[1][2]
The Tigers prospects lost 8-7 to the Pirates prospects in the exhibition contest, part of MLB's annual Spring Breakout event featuring top minor league talents during spring training.[1][3]
Clark, 21, mouthed "What the f---" as the pitch sailed high, according to video footage. He drew a walk in the at-bat. Hernandez, 19, concluded his one inning of work by inducing a ground ball double play.[1][2]
Clark, ranked as the Tigers' No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, hit .271 with 14 home runs and 67 RBI across High-A and Double-A last season.[2][4] Selected third overall by Detroit in the 2023 MLB Draft, the outfielder is projected for a possible major league debut in 2026.[4]
Hernandez, Pittsburgh's sixth overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, features a four-pitch mix and is slated to begin the 2026 season in rookie ball.[2][5] The Pirates view him as a future rotation piece alongside prospects Bubba Chandler and major league ace Paul Skenes, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner.[5][6]
LECOM Park serves as the Pirates' spring training home in Bradenton, Florida.[3]
Sources
- MLB.com, "Tigers Prospects vs. Pirates Prospects Spring Breakout Box Score - March 20, 2026," March 21, 2026, https://www.mlb.com/gameday
- MLB.com, "Max Clark Stunned by Hernandez's 102 mph Heater in Breakout," March 21, 2026, https://www.mlb.com/news
- MLB.com, "2026 Spring Breakout Schedule and Primer," March 2026, https://www.mlb.com/spring-training/spring-breakout
- MLB Pipeline, "Detroit Tigers Top 30 Prospects - 2026," January 2026, https://www.mlb.com/prospects/tigers
- Pirates.com, "Seth Hernandez 2026 MiLB Assignments," March 2026, https://www.mlb.com/pirates/prospects
- MLB.com, "Paul Skenes Wins 2024 NL Cy Young," November 15, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-2024-nl-cy-young
