Minor League Transactions: Seth Hernandez, Shelton & Rodriguez Promoted

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated May 13, 2026 1:09 AM ET

When the Pirates picked Seth Hernandez in the first round in July, Pittsburgh selected an elite high school arm who had a strong, fleshed-out arsenal and premium velocity. And after a month in the Florida State League, Hernandez received a promotion to High-A Greensboro on May 12.

Hernandez moving to High-A

Seth Hernandez left the Florida State League as the strikeout leader, as the right-hander picked up 50 strikeouts over 28 innings. There were barely any blemishes on the statsheet for him, as he regularly pumped upper-90s velocity and put up gaudy swing-and-miss numbers.

His 52.1% Whiff% as of May 12 was the second-best rate among all Low-A pitchers who had at least 85 induced swings since the start of the year. Believe it or not, that wasn’t the best in Low-A, although it was in the FSL.

(via New Baseball Media)

The only other pitcher to top that was Miguel Sime Jr., who previously pitched with Hernandez in the Team USA/National development program. Sime Jr. was drafted by the Nationals last July.

Rodriguez to Double-A

The Cardinals promoted catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez to Double-A Springfield.

Rodriguez tore up Low-A last year, and he started 2026 right where he left off. His 33 hits were tied for 12th in the Midwest League. Overall, he slashed .311/.430/.519 with four home runs and 13 extra-base hits over 28 contests.

Other notable movement

The White Sox promoted Anthony DePino and Colby Shelton, both infielders taken by the club in the 2025 MLB Draft. Shelton was tied for the fifth-most hits (38) in the South Atlantic League, and walked 25 times over 31 contests.

Matt Ager, a sixth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2024, was promoted from High-A to Double-A Altoona. Ager struck out 28 over 21.1 IP.

A’s infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Kuroda-Grauer had the second-most hits (41) in the Texas League as of May 12. Additionally, Myles Naylor (A to A+) and Shotaro Morii (ACL to A) were also moved up.

Nationals reliever Robert Cranz was promoted from High-A to Double-A Harrisburg.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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