Josh Hartle

School: Wake Forest
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
BA Grade: 45/High
Tools: Fastball: 40. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Cutter: 50. Control: 60.

Hartle had a chance to go in the first two rounds of the 2021 draft out of high school, but he took himself out of the running when he announced his intention to attend Wake Forest. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound lefthander has been a high-level strike-thrower for three seasons. After a tremendous 2023 campaign in which he doubled his strikeout rate, Hartle entered his draft season as a high-probability first-rounder thanks to one of the more attractive starter profiles in the class. Things did not go smoothly in 2024. He posted a career-worst 5.74 ERA in 74.2 innings and 15 starts with command that backed up and pure stuff that rarely missed bats. Hartle has a deep pitch mix that includes a sinking fastball that averages 90 mph and touches 93-94, a mid-80s sweepy slider that occasionally has a slurvy look, an upper-80s cutter and a mid-80s changeup. Hartle has an easy delivery with a low three-quarters slot that has led to plus control, though his lack of pure stuff and power means he needs to be precise with his location to avoid damage. He does a good job generating a high rate of ground balls and weak contact when he stays at the bottom of the strike zone. Hartle’s command gives him a chance to be a back-end starter, but his upside is limited without adding more power.