Josiah Hartshorn pursues Major League dreams after being drafted by Chicago Cubs

Josiah Hartshorn rooted on the Placentia Punishers Monday, the same day he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Former Orange Lutheran High School baseball star Josiah Hartshorn spent part of a memorable Monday at the Placentia Champions Sports Complex talking with young players who may have dreams of playing in the big leagues one day.

Hartshorn, a switch-hitting outfielder who was a first team all-Trinity League player last season, learned earlier Monday that he had been drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the Major League draft as the 181st pick overall keeping his Major League hopes very much alive.

The Anaheim resident had committed to play college baseball for Texas A&M but indicated in an exclusive interview Monday with OC Sports Zone, he’s ready to sign with the Cubs.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I had always dreamed of going straight out of high school to pro ball and obviously in the last couple of years I was very fortunate to get connected with A&M and A&M became a dream of mine, and then this was just another alternative,” he said. “I was happy to go either route but this has always been a dream.”

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After the Pony Bronco regional final, which Placentia won 10-0 over Torrance to advance to the super regional in Corona this week, Hartshorn, who was wearing a Cubs hat, visited with the admiring young players, including his brother Luke, who had a walk-off two run home run.

Also on hand were Hartshorn’s parents, a number of grand-parents and friends.

Hartshorn, who played center field this past season, said he had a personal plan before the MLB draft began on Sunday.

“I made an agreement with a lot of people, including myself, that I cared more about the money than the actual pick itself, so I said no to a lot of offers in the high ones in the earlier rounds, second and third, but I stuck to my number and they (the Cubs) were able to deliver it in the sixth round, so great job by them, they got a lot of great prospects in the draft, and I’m excited they were able to get me as well,” he said.

The All-CIF Division 1 first team player signed with Texas A&M and moved there two weeks ago in preparation for the fall semester.

“I came home this weekend for the draft, I was planning on returning tomorrow actually if it didn’t go my way,” he said. “But I got the call and it all worked out. As long as the numbers are what I expect and agreed with I will probably take it. I’m leaning very heavily toward pro ball.”

There was some uncertainty about his future earlier in the day, in fact Hartshorn was packing getting ready to leave for college.

Then came the phone call.

“My agent called on the phone and said ‘they’re going to give you your number,’ so we all went in the family room and it turned out to be true, a dream come true,” he said.

The reaction was overwhelming, he said.

“All of my buddies growing up have all been super stoked for me and the coaches I’ve played with have been super stoked, parents have been super stoked. I’ve heard nothing but great praises and thanks to God and a lot congratulations,” he said.

His younger brother Luke was also excited about his big brother being drafted.

“It’s pretty cool, I wish he was on the Angels, because they’re closer,” he said after Monday’s game. “Hopefully he makes it to the big leagues so we can come and watch him.”

So are his twin sisters.

“They’re going to be sophomores at Orange Lutheran as well and they play soccer,” he said. “They’re stoked and one of my sisters is excited because she gets my bedroom now.”

Hartshorn said he’s excited about joining the Cubs organization, pointing he saw the movie Rookie of the Year growing up.

“From a young age, I’ve always been a Dodger fan, but the Cubs is a team you see in movies and that’s awesome,” he said. “The people in the organization, the player development and the scouts and the directors who I’ve got chances to meet and talk to have been nothing but the best.”

It figures to be a memorable week for the 6-2, 220-pound Hartshorn.

“I fly out to Arizona in the next day or two to get a physical and once I pass my physical, I will look into signing and then I will report in a week or two to Arizona,” he said.

His father Chris said Wednesday he’s not sure when his son will sign with the Cubs, who he said were still working on details of the contact.

Hartshorn had some fond memories at Orange Lutheran. The Lancers finished 23-7 overall, 10-5 in the Trinity League and defeated Rancho Cucamonga 5-0 in the CIF Division 1 playoffs before losing to Los Alamitos in the second round this past season.

Hartshorn, who was named first team all-county by OC Varsity, wound up batting .364 with 24 RBI, 27 runs scored and five home runs.

“I’m very happy, I was able to beat a couple school records and I had a pretty good season overall, we didn’t make it as far as we wanted to, but I was happy with the result at the end of the day, at least for myself, maybe not for the team,” he said.

“I had a two-home run game in Vegas, which is the only time I hit two home runs in one game in high school and I broke our career school record for home runs as well at 12,” he said.

Hartshorn split his time as a youngster playing Little League and Pony baseball. He said the Placentia Pony program had a positive impact on him. He also played travel ball and gained some early recognition as a member of the Irvine Diamondbacks and Top Tier baseball when he was selected to the USA baseball 12-and-under squad in 2019.

Through his journey, others have helped along the way.

“My dad has been the only coach I’ve ever really had for pitching or hitting, he’s been a huge help, he’s taught me everything I know,” Hartshorn said. “RJ Farrell and the coaches at OLu, (Eric) Borba, have been super helpful in my development and then the coach that I had Mark Nobles when I was younger when I played Pony like this, instilled just love the game and have fun when I play baseball, which is something I’ve tried to carry as a senior in high school and now going on to start pro ball, is just always have fun …. “

Placentia Pony Manager Nick Nunnari was among those who were excited that Hartshorn was drafted and was able to share the news with others at the regional final Monday.

“It’s really exciting, I can’t imagine what they went through in the last 48 hours,” Nunnari said after his team’s win. “Josiah is a phenomenal talent. We were all very excited, he was part of our family when we saw him get drafted by the Cubs today and then for his little bro to hit the walk-off homer in the championship game was a special day for that family.”

Hartshorn was gracious with his time with the young players after Monday’s game, posing for pictures before the players formed a circle around the mound to talk to him.

“I would just say, never care too much about what people think, take yourself wherever you feel is right and God has got a plan for you, He will lead you, and keep your head down and always work hard,” he said when asked in the interview about his advice for young players.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com