Shushkewich: Braves promote Hartman to Double-A

The Atlanta Braves have promoted Okotoks Dawgs alum Eric Hartman to the double-A Columbus Clingstones.

August 6, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Welcome to the Eric Hartman show.

Selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft, the St. Albert, Alta., product is taking the Braves’ minor league system by storm.

Since making his professional debut in 2025, Hartman has found success at every level of the minors, and the Braves felt confident enough to promote the 20-year-old outfielder to double-A Columbus earlier this week.

Hartman joins an exclusive group of players aged 20 or younger in double-A, including top prospects Jesus Made, Franklin Arias, and Leo De Vries. The Canuck is no slouch himself, ranking No. 77 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list and No. 2 in the Braves organization. Among Canadians on the list, he is the second-highest-ranked Canadian-born player (behind fellow Alberta product Nathan Flewelling at No. 70) and the third-highest-ranked Canadian-affiliated player, behind Flewelling and Tyler Bremner of the Los Angeles Angels.

This season, Hartman has found a consistent stroke at the plate while displaying some serious power. The left-handed-hitting outfielder posted a .273/.364/.525 slash line for the High-A Rome Emperors in the South Atlantic League while contributing 18 doubles, 24 home runs, and 64 RBIs. His home run and run totals (76) lead all Braves minor leaguers, and he ranks among the organization's top five in numerous other categories, including hits (101), doubles, RBIs, hit by pitches (8), slugging percentage, isolated power (.248), and weighted runs created (77).

In High-A, Hartman posted an 11.0% walk rate and a .305 BABIP, both of which were among the highest marks on the team. He also recorded an .889 OPS and chipped in with 38 stolen bases, the fifth-most in the Braves’ farm system. Before the promotion, Hartman had generated a 131 wRC+ and a .388 wOBA, showcasing his ability to get on base at a high clip while also hitting for plenty of power. A centre fielder by trade, Hartman also recorded two outfield assists before being promoted to the Clingstones.

Through two games in double-A, Hartman has collected two hits in eight at-bats while drawing two walks. He's also stolen three bases.

The former Okotoks Dawgs standout was set to attend Washington State before hearing his name called in the MLB draft, but it seems both he and the Braves are thrilled he chose the professional route as an over-slot signing out of the 20th round.

The Canadian Baseball Network doesn't hand out awards at the halfway point of the season, but you would be hard-pressed to find a Canadian minor leaguer playing at a higher level than Hartman this year. While there is a good chance that Hartman finishes the year in Columbus, a strong finish to the year could see him hanging with the big boys for spring training in 2027, and a shot at the major leagues by the end of next season.