Jostin Florentino: An Up-And-Coming Cubs Prospect

Cubs fans should get familiar with prospect Jostin Florentino.

He might be a few years away from the Major Leagues, but he showed a ton of promise down in the Minor Leagues this past season. His name is now picking up some steam in the team’s farm system after he was named the Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year earlier this month.

The Vedia Hemsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award is given annually to the top pitcher in the organization. Cubs’ No. 9 prospect Brandon Birdsell won the award in 2024, and Florentino took home the honors in 2025 following a breakthrough campaign.

Florentino originally signed with the Cubs in 2023 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. He was just 18 years old at the time and spent his first two years in the organization playing in the Dominican Summer League.

In two seasons playing in the Dominican Summer League, Florentino put up some solid numbers. He had a combined 2.82 ERA and 75 strikeouts across those two campaigns and posted even better numbers during 2024 with a 2.06 ERA across 35 innings pitched with the DSL Cubs Red.

Then, his talent was on full display in his first season in the United States in 2025. He started the year in Rookie ball before being promoted to Single-A on June 7. Florentino went on to spend the rest of the year with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

He made 11 appearances (10 starts) with the Pelicans, maintaining a 1.96 ERA and 67 strikeouts across 59 ⅔ innings. The Dominican Republic native spent most of the summer with the Single-A club before making his last start of the year on August 22.

It was a very successful first season playing Minor League baseball for Florentino. He showed he has the tools to succeed, and winning the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year is a significant accomplishment for him.

Although Florentino isn’t currently ranked in the Cubs’ Minor League system on MLB Pipeline, it’s only a matter of time until he creeps into the top-30. This was his first year playing in the United States, and the right-hander is turning just 21 years old on December 1.

With multiple outings of six shutout innings and seven-plus strikeouts in Single-A last year, this is the type of pitcher who could skyrocket up prospect rankings. His next test could include moving up to High-A and Double-A next season.