A sixth-round overslot signing, Josiah Hartshorn is already flashing the offensive upside that could make him one of the Cubs’ fastest-rising prospects in 2026.
After the first few rounds of the MLB Draft, the common assumption is that unselected prep players will head to college rather than sign a professional contract. The slot value quickly drops to a point where it’s no longer worth it, and few teams have enough bonus pool money to land an impact prospect later in the draft.
But in 2025, the Chicago Cubs bought a lottery ticket in the sixth round—and they may have hit the jackpot.
With the 181st overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Cubs selected outfielder Josiah Hartshorn out of Orange Lutheran High School in California.
The projected slot value for that pick was just over $355,000, but Chicago convinced him to pass on his commitment to Texas A&M by signing him for a $2 million bonus.
Hartshorn was ranked No. 108 on MLB Pipeline’s draft big board, which gives you a sense of the value the Cubs were able to secure. He immediately slotted in as a top-10 prospect in the organization.
While he’s not considered a standout defender, Hartshorn’s upside at the plate is what got him drafted—and it’s already starting to show in the minor leagues.
“When healthy, Hartshorn is a talented switch-hitter with ability from both sides of the plate,” his draft profile on MLB Pipeline reads. It also praises his “solid overall approach…an understanding of the zone and raw power he can get to from either side.”
Hartshorn did not make his professional debut in 2025 after signing, but after turning 19 in February, he was assigned to Low-A Myrtle Beach to begin the 2026 season.
Through his first two games, he’s made quite the impression.
In 11 plate appearances, Hartshorn is 3-for-6 with a home run, two RBIs, five walks, and four runs scored. That’s good for a 1.727 OPS.
It’s obviously a tiny sample size, but it’s an encouraging start for an outfield prospect whose game is built around offensive upside.
Even if he’s not among the highest-ranked prospects right now, there’s plenty of opportunity this season for Hartshorn to win over scouts, earn a promotion, and climb the Cubs’ prospect rankings. If the bat performs the way some evaluators believe it can, top-100 prospect recognition isn’t out of the question.
The Cubs’ long-term outlook in the outfield is still somewhat unsettled. Pete Crow-Armstrong is locked in with his contract extension, but Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are both approaching free agency, which could lead to significant turnover in the next couple of years.
Not that Hartshorn will be in the majors by 2027, but he could quickly rise through the system and become part of the conversation—whether as a future piece of the core or a valuable trade chip.
Either way, his development—and especially his offensive firepower—is something Cubs fans should be watching closely in 2026.