Hartman named MiLB Breakout Player of the Year

Okotoks Dawgs alum and Atlanta Braves prospect Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) was named MiLB Breakout Player of the Year on Monday.

September 29, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Atlanta Braves prospect Eric Hartman has been named MiLB Breakout Player of the Year.

The announcement was made during the fourth annual MiLB Awards Show that aired on the MLB Network on Monday night.

The honour comes just a week after Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) was named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America.

The 20-year-old Albertan put together a .249/.350/.456 slash line and had 26 home runs and 56 stolen bases in 128 games between the High-A Rome Emperors and double-A Columbus Clingstones.

In the process, Hartman became the first minor leaguer to finish a season with 25-plus home runs and 50-plus stolen bases since Andruw Jones in 1995.

Prior to the 2026 season, Hartman’s speed had been well documented, but his power outburst was a welcome surprise for the Braves.

“I think I’ve always been a strong guy and I love getting after it in the weightroom, but I think it was just cleaning some stuff up with some great coaches . . . It was just cleaning up my misses most of all, so my misses could be home runs instead of ground balls,” Hartman told MLB.com on Monday when asked about his power numbers in 2026.

Selected in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Braves, Hartman is proving to be the steal of that draft.

On Canada Day this year, the Okotoks Dawgs alum belted his 20th home run of the season to become the first player in the history of the High-A Emperors to club 20 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. And he did it in just 71 games.

The 2026 campaign represented Hartman’s second in pro ball. In 2025, he batted .240 with five home runs and 48 stolen bases in 90 games between the FCL Braves and the class-A Augusta Green Jackets.

San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Nolan Perry were the runners up to Hartman for MiLB’s 2026 Breakout honour.