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Blue Jays Nation’s Top 25 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2026: #22 Eric Hartman
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Photo credit: © Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 29, 2026, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 27, 2026, 07:33 EST
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With their final 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. It makes sense, given general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ ties to the great country.
# 23 – Eric Hartman
Hometown: St. Albert, Alberta
Organization: Atlanta Braves
Draft: 20th round, 2024 (ATL)
Position: Second base/outfield
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
I chose to do Hartman’s profile for two reasons. For starters, I was also born in St. Albert. The other reason is because I actually watched him during the 2022 Canadian Futures Showcase. He was one of a handful of players that stood out for me over the course of the event, as I went as far to write about him in this article here. The report can be found below.
“Long, muscular body. Hartman has great bat speed and can connect with the ball anywhere in the zone. Currently a line drive hitter, Hartman is projectable which may see him hit his fair share of home runs as he matures. An average runner with a strong arm will allow him to move all over the field defensively.”
Hartman wasn’t a top-ranked prospect in his draft class, as the Braves went over-slot to sign the second baseman/outfielder, as the Braves had some left over money and decided to take a gamble on a prep hitter.
It may have worked out for the National League East team.

2025 season

Hartman didn’t begin his professional career until the 2025 season. The Braves were aggressive with his promotion, placing 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, finishing 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 centre field (313 innings). In those 512 outfield innings, Hartman picked up five assists while registering just two errors.
He had such a strong season that Baseball America ranked Hartman as their 24th-best prospect entering the 2026 season. Moreover, he’s considered their best defensive outfield prospect

Looking ahead to 2026

With a strong 2025 season behind him and 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 prospects that play a significant number of games in High-A while still in his teens. Last season, only 16 players from 30 organizations registered 100 or more plate appearances in their age-19 season. Interestingly, Toronto Blue Jays‘ prospect Arjun Nimmala was one of those players.
Even if Hartman begins the 2026 season repeating the level in Single-A, with a strong start to his season, there’s a legitimate chance he could reach High-A before he turns 20 in mid-June. That feat tends to be a good omen in a prospect’s career.
Hartman already features strong defence and a good eye at the plate, but if he can fill out his 6’1”, 185 lbs frame and hit for more power, he’ll sky rocket up not just the Braves’ top prospect list, but also this list.
Time will tell how the St. Alberta native does in 2026.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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