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Blue Jays Nation’s Top 25 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2026: #22 Eric Hartman
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Blue Jays Nation’s Top 25 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2026: #22 Eric Hartman

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Blue Jays Nation’s Top 25 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2026: #22 Eric Hartman

With their last pick in the 2024 draft, the Atlanta Braves selected high school infielder/outfielder Eric Hartman with their 20th overall pick out of Holy Trinity Academy in Otokoks, Alberta. That makes sense, given general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ ties to the great country.

#23 – Eric Hartman

Place of residence: St. Albert, Alberta

Organization: Atlanta Braves

Preliminary version: 20th round, 2024 (ATL)

Position: Second base/outfield

Bats/throws: Left/Right

I chose Hartman’s profile for two reasons. For starters, I was also born in St. Albert. The other reason is that I actually saw him at the 2022 Canadian Futures Showcase. He was one of the few players that stood out to me at the event I went so far as to write about him in this article here. The report can be found below.

“Long, muscular body. Hartman has great shot speed and can connect with the ball anywhere in the zone. Currently a line drive hitter, Hartman is projected to potentially hit a large number of home runs as he ages. An average runner with a strong arm will allow him to move all over the field defensively.”

Hartman wasn’t a top prospect in his draft class, as the Braves went too far to sign the second baseman/outfielder because the Braves had some money left and decided to take a chance on a prep hitter.

It might have worked out for the National League East team.

Season 2025

Hartman did not begin his professional career until the 2025 season. The Braves were aggressive with his promotion and placed the 19-year-old in Single-A. Aside from six rehab games with the Florida Complex League Braves, the second baseman/outfielder spent most of his season with the Augusta GreenJackets.

Over 370 plate appearances with the team, Hartman slashed .248/.344/.374 with five home runs and finished with a 10 BB% and 23 K%, giving him a 113 wRC+. The 19-year-old split most of his time between second base (149.1 innings), left field (199 innings) and center field (313 innings). In those 512 outfield innings, Hartman had five assists while making just two errors.

He had such a strong season that Baseball America ranked Hartman as their 24th best prospect entering the 2026 season. Additionally, he is considered their top defensive outfield prospect

Looking ahead to 2026

With a strong 2025 season behind him and the wind in his sails, the 2026 season will be a big year for the 19-year-old. Hartman may be one of the rare hitting players to play a significant number of games in High-A while still in his teens. Last season, only 16 players from 30 organizations recorded 100 or more plate appearances in their age-19 season. Interestingly enough, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Arjun Nimmala was one of those players.

Even if Hartman starts the 2026 season repeating the level in Single-A, with a strong start to his season, there is a legitimate chance he can reach High-A before he turns 20 in mid-June. This achievement usually bodes well in a potential client’s career.

Hartman already has strong defense and a good eye at the plate, but if he can fill out his 6-foot-4, 185 lbs frame and hit for more power, he will not only skyrocket the Braves’ top prospects list, but this list as well.

Only time will tell how the St. Alberta native will fare in 2026.

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