Josh Hartle
P | Bats/Throws: L/L | 6' 5" 210LBS | Age: 21
Draft: 2024 | Rd: 3, #83, Pittsburgh Pirates | Wake Forest
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 0 0 16.20 1 0 0 1.2 2 3.60
Career Minors 0 0 16.20 1 0 0 1.2 2 3.60
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2024 1 0-0 16.20 1.2 2 3.60
Career Minors 1 0-0 16.20 1.2 2 3.60

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2024 Bradenton Marauders FSL A 0 0 16.20 1 0 0 1.2 5 4 3 0 1 2 3.60

Scouting Report

Draft

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Though some clubs considered Hartle the best high school left-hander in the 2021 Draft, his unwavering commitment to Wake Forest led to him going unselected. That won't happen again, though it's unlikely he'll go in the first round as projected entering 2024. After he notched 140 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings while earning All-America honors as a sophomore, his stuff and command have regressed this spring.

Last year, Hartle displayed exquisite feel for four different pitches, starting with a fastball that averages 90 mph and tops out at 94 but missed plenty of bats because of his angle, sinking and boring action and command. His plus low-80s slider with two-plane depth was his best secondary pitch, though his upper-80s cutter wasn't far behind and his mid-80s changeup also had its moments. But his heater, slider and cutter haven't been as effective during his junior season.

Hartle has an easy delivery that has allowed him to sling strikes and move his pitches around wherever he wants in the past. But he has lacked his usual precision in 2024 and gotten cutter-happy at the expense of his fastball. Once considered a lock to be at least a No. 4 starter in the big leagues with the upside of a No. 2, he now has scouts trying to figure out what happened and whether it can be fixed.


2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45

Though some clubs considered Hartle the best high school left-hander in the 2021 Draft, his unwavering commitment to Wake Forest led to him going unselected. Once thought to be a first-round candidate, a regression of his stuff and command as a junior this past spring caused his Draft stock to fall. That could work out to the Pirates’ benefit after they took the southpaw in the third round and signed him for a below-slot $850,000.

In 2023, Hartle displayed exquisite feel for four different pitches, starting with a fastball that averages 90 mph and tops out at 94 but missed plenty of bats because of his angle, sinking action and command. His plus low-80s slider with two-plane depth was his best secondary pitch, though his upper-80s cutter wasn't far behind, and his mid-80s changeup also had its moments. But his heater, slider and cutter weren’t as effective during his junior season.

Hartle has an easy delivery that has allowed him to sling strikes and move his pitches around wherever he wants in the past. But he has lacked his usual precision in 2024 and gotten cutter-happy at the expense of his fastball. Once considered a lock to be at least a No. 4 starter in the big leagues with the upside of a No. 2, he now enters pro ball a bit more of an enigma than a sure thing.


2021

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

With a series of strong performances on the showcase circuit last summer, Hartle established himself as the top high school left-hander in the minds of several clubs. He didn't build on that momentum after having an appendectomy this spring, though he did win Gatorade's North Carolina high school player of the year award. He doesn't have quite the same ceiling or athleticism as MacKenzie Gore of Blake Walston, North Carolina prep southpaws taken in recent first rounds, but he could have a solid three-pitch mix with command to match.  

Using his 6-foot-5 frame and a low three-quarters arm slot, Hartle creates angle and sink on a sneaky low-90s fastball that tops out at 94 mph and plays better than its velocity. His low slot makes it difficult to stay on top of his breaking ball, a sweepy 79-83 mph slider that grades as fringy to average, though he locates it well. He has advanced feel for a low-80s changeup with fade. 

Hartle doesn't blow hitters away with his present stuff, but he gets outs because he mixes his offerings and puts them where he wants. The Wake Forest recruit still has room to add muscle, so he could gain more power on his pitches as he gets stronger. Developing a crisper breaking ball would really enhance his profile.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
09/02/2024 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates.
08/05/2024 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to FCL Pirates.
07/23/2024 Pittsburgh Pirates signed LHP Josh Hartle.
06/16/2024 College Workout activated LHP Josh Hartle.
03/01/2024 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
06/29/2023 College Workout activated LHP Josh Hartle.
06/26/2023 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to USAB Stripes Team.
05/26/2023 College Workout activated LHP Josh Hartle.
05/24/2023 College Workout activated LHP Josh Hartle.
05/20/2023 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
05/02/2022 LHP Josh Hartle and assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
06/16/2020 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
06/16/2020 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
07/23/2019 LHP Josh Hartle assigned to 17U National Team Development Program.