MLB Pipeline Names Cubs Top Hitting Prospect For 2026

A few unexpected prospects in the Chicago Cubs system had breakthrough campaigns in 2026. 

And it’s certainly up for debate who the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year was. Baseball America gave that honor to catcher Owen Ayers after he hit .289 with 25 home runs, 29 doubles, one triple, 82 RBI, and 13 stolen bases across 125 games at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. 

However, MLB Pipeline went in another direction. MLB Pipeline named the best hitter and pitcher prospect for each team for the 2026 season. MLB recognized Josiah Hartshorn as the Cubs' best hitter prospect from this past season. 

Hartshorn no doubt had a memorable first professional season. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft and made a quick impression in his first taste of the minors to start the 2026 campaign. 

The switch-hitting outfielder slashed .273/.424/.460 with five home runs, nine doubles, one triple, 25 RBI, and four stolen bases in his first 39 games with Single-A Myrtle Beach. Those strong numbers quickly earned him a promotion to High-A in late May. 

To no surprise, Hartshorn continued to hit the ball well with the South Bend Cubs. He slashed .297/.405/.560 with 18 home runs, 17 doubles, four triples, 85 RBI, and 12 stolen bases across 83 games before earning another promotion to Double-A in the final week of the regular season. 

Hartshorn was the biggest riser in the Cubs’ farm system this year. No one really knew what to expect from him in his first professional season. But he exceeded all expectations while continuing to flash his potential at the plate. 

The 19-year-old slashed .284/.407/.518 with 23 home runs, 26 doubles, five triples, 112 RBI, 91 walks, and 17 stolen bases across 125 games at Single-A, High-A, and Double-A this season. His 23-home-run, 112-RBI campaign in his first professional season is a clear success. 

MLB naming Hartshorn the Cubs’ best prospect hitter this season isn’t much of a surprise. He showed patience, power, and speed this year and posted strong numbers at both Single-A and High-A. 

Hartshorn ends the 2026 season as the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect. He is listed as MLB Pipeline’s No. 35 overall prospect and should continue to rise up prospect rankings next season. 

The young outfielder will likely start the 2027 season at Double-A Knoxville. Depending on how he looks at that level at the beginning of next year, there’s a strong chance that he could be promoted to Triple-A by mid-summer. 

That puts Hartshorn on track to make his Major League debut either in late 2027 as a September call-up or in early 2028.