At Least Josiah Hartshorn Keeps Raking
When we last looked at slugging teenager Josiah Hartshorn, he was tearing it up at Low-A Myrtle Beach and showing why the Cubs gave him a record signing bonus for a sixth-round pick. That run continued until last night, when he made his debut for High-A South Bend by going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, a sac fly, and two runs driven in. He has drawn a total of 35 free passes, good for an absurd 19.3% walk rate, and he’s struck out just 27 times so far.
The 19-year-old can swing it! Josiah Hartshorn collects another RBI on his first Midwest League hit!#SBCubs pic.twitter.com/bFSMabipUJ
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) May 26, 2026
He earned the promotion by slashing .273/.424/.460 with five homers, 24 runs scored, and 25 more driven in for Myrtle Beach. Though he didn’t top the Carolina League leaderboards in any category, his keen eye and balanced offensive profile were in need of a stronger test.
The switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman immediately contributed to the South Bend Cubs’ six-game winning streak, and more performances like this will have him climbing higher than No. 8 in the organizational rankings. The preacher’s son isn’t likely to let this early success go to his head either, and that humility will pay dividends as he advances in the game.
“Every day is a new challenge, but our hitting directors and hitting staff have been very helpful to help me adapt in the short time that I’ve been in affiliate ball,” Hartshorn said after his SB Cubs debut. “So I’m very thankful for their help, and every day is a new battle.
“[The South Bend Cubs] by no means need my help, but I’m thankful that I get to contribute.”
Can we go ahead and get this kid to Pittsburgh for the end of the series? He’d surely be overmatched by big league pitching, but that just means he’ll fit right in with the rest of the group.
