A meteoric outfield riser and a resurgent right-hander prepare to showcase Chicago’s farm system depth against elite competition in baseball’s premier midsummer showcase for emerging young stars.
The Chicago Cubs will have some representation at this year’s MLB Futures All-Star Game.
Both Josiah Hartshorn and Mason McGwire will represent the Cubs at this annual prospect event. Hartshorn is the team’s No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline, while McGwire checks in as Chicago’s No. 30 prospect on MLB Pipeline.
The MLB Futures All-Star Game is a seven-inning showdown between the top prospects in baseball. This event will feature prospects like Jesus Made (No. 1), Leo De Vries (No. 2), Eli Willits (No. 3), and Josue De Paula (No. 4), among others.
Hartshorn's selection to the MLB Futures All-Star Game came as no surprise, as he is one of the biggest prospect risers in all of baseball. The 19-year-old outfielder is the No. 79 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline and the No. 29 overall prospect on Baseball America.
There’s no denying just how impressive Hartshorn has been in his first professional season. He batted .273 with five home runs, nine doubles, one triple, 25 RBI, and four stolen bases across 39 games at Single-A before being promoted to High-A in late May.
Since being promoted to High-A, Hartshorn has fully taken off. The switch-hitting outfielder is slashing .288/.375/.576 with nine home runs, five doubles, 35 RBI, and four stolen bases in his first 33 games with the South Bend Cubs.
Hartshorn will likely spend most of the year down in High-A, but he could be promoted to Double-A toward the end of the season. Being able to play in the MLB Futures All-Star Game is a massive achievement for the 19-year-old.
McGwire will join Hartshorn in this prospect event next weekend. But unlike Hartshorn, McGwire's selection to the MLB Futures Game came as a bit of surprise.
The Cubs No. 30 prospect is the lowest-ranked prospect to be selected to this All-Star game. No other team has a prospect ranked outside the top 18 in this unique contest.
Still, McGwire finds himself selected to this event amid a breakout Minor League campaign. The 22-year-old currently owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 48 innings pitched at Single-A and High-A this season.
McGwire has dealt with a few injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2025 campaign due to elbow surgery. Now that he is fully healthy, though, the Cubs are finally seeing his potential on the mound.
The right-hander has a 3.64 FIP, .290 wOBA, 12.8% K-BB%, 24.4% strikeout rate, 29.4% chase rate, and a 63.6% strike rate in his five outings with the South Bend Cubs.
Both Hartshorn and McGwire are deserving of playing in this highly competitive Futures All-Star Game. These two Cubs prospects are arguably the biggest risers in the organization this year and could move up to Double-A by the end of the season.
The MLB Futures All-Star Game will take place on 12:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 12.
