Cubs Prospect Josiah Hartshorn Dominates Low-A in Pro Debut

The 19-year-old outfielder is off to a torrid start, raising expectations for his future with the organization.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:36pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in various stages of their swing and fielding action, with vibrant colors and sharp, overlapping shapes that capture the raw energy and motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a young baseball prospect's explosive swing and dynamic movement on the field.Myrtle Beach Today

Josiah Hartshorn, a 19-year-old outfielder in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system, is making a strong impression in his professional debut. Through his first 42 plate appearances with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Hartshorn is batting .367 with a .524 on-base percentage, including 10 walks. He has also added a double, triple, and one home run, giving him a .567 slugging percentage. Hartshorn was the Cubs' sixth-round pick in last year's draft, signing a $2 million bonus that set a new record for that draft position.

Why it matters

Hartshorn's early success at the Low-A level has raised expectations for his future with the Cubs organization. As a highly touted prospect, his performance could accelerate his path to the major leagues and provide a boost to the Cubs' farm system, which is looking to develop more homegrown talent.

The details

Hartshorn, a left-handed thrower who was up to 94 mph on his fastball before an elbow injury, was drafted by the Cubs primarily for his hitting ability. He is a switch-hitter who has shown impressive power from both sides of the plate, winning the 2024 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby. After agreeing to a $2 million bonus, which was more than $1.6 million above slot, the Cubs are clearly high on Hartshorn's potential.

  • Hartshorn was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
  • He signed a $2 million bonus, a record for a sixth-round pick.
  • Hartshorn is currently playing for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Cubs' Low-A affiliate.

The players

Josiah Hartshorn

A 19-year-old outfielder in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system who was the team's sixth-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He signed a $2 million bonus, a record for that draft position.

Dan Kantrovitz

The Vice President of Scouting for the Chicago Cubs, who selected Hartshorn in the 2025 draft.

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What they’re saying

“I wonder if Cubs VP of scouting Dan Kantrovitz was singing Dusty Springfield's most popular song when he tabbed switch-hitting slugger Josiah Hartshorn with the 181st overall pick in last year's draft.”

— Evan Altman, Author

What’s next

Hartshorn's performance will be closely watched as he continues his progression through the Cubs' minor league system. If he maintains this level of production, he could see a rapid promotion to higher levels of the minors.

The takeaway

Josiah Hartshorn's impressive start to his professional career has generated significant excitement within the Cubs organization and their fanbase. His combination of power, plate discipline, and advanced hitting approach at such a young age suggests he could be a key part of the team's future plans.