Cubs' sixth-round slugger is destroying Low-A and filling a hole in the organization

Although the big league Chicago Cubs have left a lot to be desired in the early going, it's been a bit of a different story in the minors. Several key prospects have started the season off scorching hot, including, most notably, Kevin Alcantara, who has already popped seven home runs in Iowa. Jonathon Long has also picked up right where he left off, and even James Triantos has enjoyed a nice bounce-back so far. Further down on the farm, however, the name to watch has been 2025 sixth-rounder Josiah Hartshorn, who is tearing the cover off the ball in his Low-A pro debut at just 19 years old.

The Cubs clearly had some confidence in Hartshorn from the very beginning. Despite being the 181st overall pick in the draft, he was paid handsomely with a way over-slot $2 million signing bonus to lure him away from a commitment to Texas A&M. Evaluators clearly like him, too, as MLB Pipeline quickly placed him as a top-ten prospect in the organization, ahead of both Triantos and the also scorching hot Pedro Ramirez. In a depleted farm system, it's not that hard to soar up the ranking, but again, this is all for a sixth-round pick.

Yet, that confidence has been rewarded. It's only nine games and 46 plate appearances, but the switch-hitting Hartshorn entered action Wednesday carrying a .333/.500/.515 slash line with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, good for a 182 wRC+. That includes a pair of stolen bases and a home run, with just a pair of strikeouts so far and 11 walks. His approach at the plate appears sufficiently advanced for the level, even though he's facing pitchers that, on average, are a little over a year older than him.

The one big knock against him coming out of the draft was that he had suffered injuries to both his right and left elbows during his senior year, limiting his ability to switch hit, and he also faced back issues. None of these were serious, and it didn't deter the Cubs, but it remains something to look out for as he continues to move up the ladder. For now, though, Hartshorn simply looks more polished than a prep player at his age typically is, and, with his athleticism combined with experience throwing fastballs in the low 90s, he could have a future in the outfield. If not, his bat might just be good enough for first base.

Josiah Hartshorn brings the power the Cubs farm system is missing

What makes Hartshorn most important to the Cubs, however, is his raw power. Across the farm system, there aren't any real standout sluggers with outstanding power tools rising through the minor leagues. The only one scored at the same level as Hartshorn's 55 scouting grade within the organization's top ten is Alcantara, and he brings with him massive strikeout concerns that leave his big league viability in question. Owen Caissie was their standout masher, but he was instead used to bring Edward Cabrera to Chicago.

Even compared to Caissie, Hartshorn has a better hit tool at a 50 scouting grade. That discipline he's shown, too, could be the key to a very quick rise through the rest of the minors. He's not going to be helping the Cubs this year or even next, but eventually, it could be immensely valuable to have a cost-controlled, switch-hitting slugger with the ability to choose his swings and make the most of his power. Standing at six-foot-two and 220 pounds, he's also physically ahead of his peers, meaning there's a lot less concern about him growing into his raw tools — they're already there.

Again, this is an awful lot to put on one prospect in Low-A with less than triple-digit plate appearances to his name, but the ceiling is sky-high for Hartshorn in a way it simply hasn't been for a ton of Cubs prospects. It certainly stands out at a time when the big league team looks like they could use some extra power themselves. He even has one notable feat of strength to his name already, sharing the title of 2024 All-Star High School Home Run Derby champion with Jacob Parker. Remember the name, because he, and much of the Cubs' 2025 draft class, is going to be worth watching.

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