Cubs' No. 7 prospect 'letting it fly' amidst hot start to pro career
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Typically, when prospects receive a promotion, there’s an adjustment period. Thus far, that hasn't been the case for Josiah Hartshorn.
The Cubs' No. 7 prospect, who only just arrived at High-A on May 26, continued to torment Midwest League pitching on Saturday night, swatting his seventh homer on the circuit in South Bend's 6-4 win against Peoria at Four Winds Field.
His latest long ball marks his fourth dinger in his past six games. Through 17 games for the Cubs, he's hitting .400.
“I think the biggest thing driving my success right now is that I am always getting my 'A' swing off," Hartshorn said. "I’m letting it fly.”
The 19-year-old's 12th homer of the year came in the bottom of the first. Squaring off against right-hander Jacob Odle (STL No. 13), Hartshorn worked the count to 2-2. Choking up slightly on the bat, the switch-hitter got a slider on the inner third and proceeded to blast the two-strike offering over the wall in right. This season, he’s batting .316 when hitting left-handed.
“Every at-bat I take left-handed, I choke up just a touch to feel that little counterbalance,” said Hartshorn. "With two strikes, I try to let the fastball get a bit deeper, so I can maybe go oppo with it and still catch the offspeed."
Hartshorn also cited his switch from a leg kick as an amateur to a toe tap as a pro as a reason behind his results from the left-handed batter's box.
The two-run shot by the New York native pushes his RBI total to 51 and gives him 26 in only 17 games played at High-A. Not surprisingly, Hartshorn has proven lethal in at-bats with runners in scoring position this season. With South Bend, he’s gone 6-for-12 in such situations with a 1.682 OPS and 17 RBIs.
“At this level, pitchers are in the zone more and I feel like I can be more aggressive," he said. "I also know that with better pitchers at this level, if I see a mistake, I have to hit it because they won’t come back with that same mistake again.”
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Since Hartshorn's arrival in South Bend, the sixth-round pick from the 2025 Draft ranks in the top 5 among qualified High-A hitters in OPS (1.269, fourth), slugging percentage (.817, second), hits (24, T-second) and total bases (49, first).
Along with the gaudy power and run production numbers, Hartshorn has maintained his exceptional plate discipline, walking (41) the same number of times he has punched out.
“Growing up, I always swung at everything in BP, which helped me understand what I can and can’t drive. Or what I can foul off or can’t foul off,” Hartshorn said. “For me, the strike zone isn’t necessarily the swing zone. Instead of worrying about ball or strike, it’s more about if I can or can’t drive it.”