The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted left-handed pitcher Josh Hartle from Wake Forest with their third round pick, 83rd overall in the 2024 MLB draft. Hartle was ranked 75th by Baseball America and 70th by MLB Pipeline.
Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest
Age: 21 | DOB: 3/24/2003 | HT: 6′ 5″ | WT: 210 | B/T: L/L
2024 Stats
Hartle didn’t have a good season in 2024, putting up a 5.79 ERA in 74.2 innings during his junior year at Wake Forest. He had an 81:25 K/BB ratio, but was hit around more than any point in his three-year career. He put up a 2.81 ERA in 102.1 innings in 2023, with a 140:24 K/BB. The Pirates would hope to get him back to his 2023 stuff.
The Mechanics
Hartle has an easy delivery from a low three-quarters arm slot, leading to plus control.
The Pitches
Compiling the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline reports on Hartle.
Fastball (45): His fastball averages 90 MPH, topping out at 94, and getting swing and miss from a good sinking action. He commands the pitch well.
Slider (55): The slider is his best pitch, and seems to have multiple variations. The pitch can be a sweeper at times, and slurvy at times.
Cutter (50): The harder version of the slider, the cutter, is so good that it grades individually as an average pitch. He went heavy with this pitch, and away from his fastball, in his struggles this year.
Changeup (50): The changeup sits mid-80s, and is a pitch that could grade as average.
Control (55+): Hartle has the potential for plus control, though he saw that take a step back in 2024.
Overall (45+): Three years ago, Hartle could have gone in the first two rounds of the 2021 draft, but he removed his name from eligibility to go to Wake Forest. He started showing his potential as a future MLB starter in 2023, but took a step back from that with his struggles in 2024. He relies on plus control to allow his mix of average pitches to play up, but that control slipped in 2024 as he adjusted his pitch usage. The Pirates will be looking to get Hartle back on track, with the hopes that he returns to looking like a future MLB starter.
