Josh
Hartle

This start saw the fastball sitting mostly 89-91 mph through the first two to three innings and grabbed a 92-93 early. He had above-average command of the pitch and was in the zone, but it did not overpower hitters early on. The fastball showed some cut at times and he was able to use it to both sides of the plate. Hartle did not land the low 80s slider early on, but like the rest of his outing, it got better as he got deeper into the start. Changeup sat 85-87. Overall, early on he struggled with getting some quicker outs and ran the pitch count up, but I thought as he got into the third and fourth innings he was much more efficient with his secondary and was able to finish counts. He was especially tough on left-handers and versus some bats that did not seem to struggle as much versus some other arms. Not overpowering stuff, but he did a solid job staying out of the middle and working through some early struggles to turn out a strong start. Struck out eight in four and two-thirds and worked around a couple of walks.

USA CNT: Not surviving the cut down to a 31-man roster for the Chinese Taipei series, there were several surprises that included a potential first-rounder in 2024 as Josh Hartle (Wake Forest) was rusty during the trials. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound lefty was up to 93 with an 82-84 slider and a hard 87-89 cutter. He has much better pitchability than he showed during the trials (1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 SO). In 2023 for the Demon Deacons, Hartle posted a 11-2 record with a 2.81 ERA, 24 BB, 140 SO in 102 innings. He projects to become at least a mid-rotation starter in the major leagues as he possesses all of the ingredients for more velo with his size, delivery, athleticism and arm speed.

The prized freshman lefty started Sunday's first game and looked good through three scoreless frames before the Seminoles started getting to him in the middle innings. A loose, slingy low three-quarters southpaw with serious athleticism and projectability, Hartle's operation reminded me of former Arizona State All-American Josh Spence. But Hartle has a firmer fastball (87-90 right now, with plenty more in the tank as he matures). His command wasn't its sharpest on this day, but it's obvious that he has real feel for pitching at a young age. He can manipulate his big-breaking slurve at 75-80 mph, and it is an out pitch that he can land for strikes or use as a chase. His changeup was below-average on this day, and he seemed to shelve it after giving up a couple of doubles on the pitch in the first two innings. (Fitt)

Wake Forest commit.  Tall, slender build.  Body will continue to mature but will probably maintain a straight line build.  Balanced over the rubber, using an average leg kick.  Stable head.  Long arm action, reaching down with length before getting short at the top as the foot strikes, working to a low-3/4 slot.  Quick arm.  Athletic through release.  Lands online and square.  Advanced feel for control and command showing an ability to locate to the glove side and stick balls in to right handed hitters.  Can elevate to change eye level.  Fastball ranged 86-88 with late tilt to the arm side when down.  Seemed to play better than the gun reading, getting a lot of swing and miss on the fastball.  Breaking ball sweeps with late, tight depth.  Spin works with length creating issues for hitters as both a freeze pitch and a swing and miss pitch at 70-74.  Ceiling remains very high with pitch-ability and command matching current stuff.

The 6-foot-3, 160-pound Hartle already possesses some polish on the mound. He pitched for Team USA’s 15U gold medal club over the summer and showed advanced command while including weak contact with a fastball that has late life and touches 84 at times. His change-up produces swings and misses and he throws it with good hand speed, mimicking the fastball. He has a loose, easy arm swing that screams projection. He is already committed to Wake Forest.