Tigers’ top prospect goes viral for his unfiltered reaction to Pirates’ Seth Hernandez’s 102 mph heater

Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark had an honest reaction after seeing a 102.4 mph fastball on the first pitch of a game.

Clark was the Tigers’ leadoff hitter in their 8-7 loss to the Pirates in their Spring Breakout game and faced Pittsburgh’s top prospect, Seth Hernandez.

Hernandez’s first pitch was a 102.4 mph fastball above the zone and caught Clark’s attention.

“What the fuck?” Clark could be seen saying after the pitch passed him.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark warms up before a prospects game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on March 20, 2026. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clark, 21, walked in the at-bat. Hernandez ended up inducing an inning-ending grounder double play to conclude his only inning of the game.

The game between the Tigers and Pirates was part of the MLB Spring Breakout, which is an annual four-day event featuring exhibition games between top prospects from all MLB teams during spring training.

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Max Clark of the Detroit Tigers after batting in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on March 20, 2026. (Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Clark is the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers’ farm system, according to MLB.com. Last season in High-A and Double-A, Clark hit .271 with 14 home runs and 67 RBIs and could make his major league debut this season, where he will see plenty of high-octane heat like Hernandez.

Hernandez, 19, was selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the Pirates in last year’s draft. Hernandez already has a legitimate four-pitch mix and will be entering his rookie season.

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Seth Hernandez of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws during a game against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on March 20, 2026. (Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Pirates expect Hernandez and pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to slot in behind NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes at the top of their rotation in the coming years.

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