The Corona-Norco Unified School District is proud to announce that Seth Hernandez, a junior at Corona High School, has been honored as the 2023-24 Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year. This prestigious award, now in its 39th year, recognizes the nation’s top high school athletes for their excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 190 pounds, Hernandez has demonstrated remarkable versatility and skill as a right-handed pitcher, infielder, and outfielder. During the past season, he led the Corona High School Panthers to a stellar 30-3 record and the Division I CIF Southern Section Championship. His pitching record includes a flawless 9-0 record, a 0.62 ERA, 73 strikeouts, and only 15 walks over 56 innings. Offensively, he batted .352 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs, boasting a 1.080 OPS.
Reflecting on Hernandez’s extraordinary season, Corona High School baseball coach Andy Wise said, "Bottom line for me is Seth Hernandez is the best high school baseball player I've come across. Seth truly has it going on. It was a real pleasure to work with him and watch him do his thing this year. The future couldn't be brighter for this kid."
Hernandez’s talents extend beyond the baseball field. He is an accomplished sculptor and abstract artist who actively volunteers at Victory Baptist Church and a local senior living community. Despite his athletic and extracurricular commitments, he has maintained a commendable 3.38 GPA and has verbally committed to playing baseball on scholarship at Vanderbilt University starting in the fall of 2025.
“Seth Hernandez is an assassin at baseball,” said Brett Kay, head coach at JSerra Catholic High School. “He changes the game in so many shapes and forms and he does it as both a hitter and a pitcher. If he were a senior this year, he would be a Top 10 pick in the MLB draft. He’s that good.”
The Gatorade Player of the Year program not only celebrates athletic excellence but also the importance of character and service. As part of this recognition, each Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $4.9 million in grants to over 1,900 organizations.
Seth Hernandez joins the ranks of notable past winners, including Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, and Clayton Kershaw, highlighting his exceptional achievements and promising future.
For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program and to view past winners, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
The Corona-Norco Unified School District congratulates Seth Hernandez on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued success both on and off the field.