The Chicago Cubs drafted switch-hitting power hitter Josiah Hartshorn in the sixth round out of high school in 2025, giving the teenager a record-breaking $2 million signing bonus in his slot. That was more than enough sway Hartshorn, who was committed to playing college baseball at Texas A&M. Now, in his pro debut year in the Cubs’ minor league system, the 19-year-old slugger is gunning for the No. 1 prospect slot in the organization.
Hartshorn began the 2026 season in Low A-Ball with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He was on a ridiculous pace through the first eight games of the year, going 11-for-30 with a home run, while walking 10 times to only one strikeout in 42 plate appearances.
After 39 games in Myrtle Beach, Hartshorn settled in and was still the top hitter on the team despite being the youngest player on the roster for the Pelicans. He posted a 149 wRC+, slashing .273/.424/.460. The first baseman/corner outfielder hit five home runs, walked more times than he struck out, and proved that he needed a new challenge. So, earlier this week, the Cubs promoted Hartshorn to the South Bend Cubs at High A-Ball.
You could not have a better debut at a new level than Hartshorn.
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Josiah Hartshorn’s first 13 Plate Appearances at A+ Ball:
1. Sac fly line drive to RF track
2. Fly out to LF track
3. Oppo 2B to LF track
4. Walk
5. Line drive single to right
6. Sac fly to LF track
7. Two-run single b/w 1st and 2nd
8. 3-run HR
9. K
10. Line drive single to right
11. Walk
12. Walk
13. K
So, that’s 5-for-8, HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 SF for Hartshorn in his first three games with South Bend. Not bad for a 19-year-old in his first season in pro ball.
Hartshorn is currently playing against competition that, on average, is 3.3 years older than he is at A+ Ball.
On MLB Pipeline’s Top-30 prospects list for the Cubs, Hartshorn is currently ranked No. 8, as shortstop Jefferson Rojas has the top spot. It would not be surprising at all if Hartshorn makes his way into the three by the end of this season, and if he somehow ends up at Double-A in his age-19 season, then that could mean he’s jumped all the way to No. 1 in the Cubs farm system.
