Pete Crow-Armstrong got his first taste of the show in 2023. While it was a rather short and not-successful stint, there’s a reason why there is so much invested in the 21-year-old outfielder. The twelfth-ranked prospect on mlb.com hasn’t always been a part of the Cubs organization. Crow-Armstrong was the return Chicago received back at the 2021 trade deadline from the Mets in exchange for Javier Baez. Cubs fans everywhere were extremely frustrated with all the moves at that deadline, so the vision of any prospect the organization got in return was a bit foggy. Looking back nearly two and a half years later, the Cubs got an absolute steal in that exchange. The following is a profile of Pete Crow-Armstrong as the budding prospect prepares to become a full-time big leaguer.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Profile
Web Gems Galore
When looking at PCA, it’s hard not to recognize his remarkable defense. He’s been viewed as an 80-grade defender amongst multiple prospect-ranking platforms, which is very much deserved. Crow-Armstrong won Defensive Player of the Year in the first-ever MiLB Awards this past season.
After getting the nod to the show in mid-September, PCA proceeded to make two incredible web gems at Coors Field. This display from the Sherman Oaks, CA native showed the baseball world how legitimate his defensive abilities are.
PCA’s overall speed helps his ability to cover so much ground in so little time and makes him a future Gold Glove candidate at the big league level.
Bag Swiping Machine
Since Crow-Armstrong can sprawl out and make unreal plays in the field by covering so much ground, it makes sense that he can steal bases with ease as well. In his two full seasons in the Cubs’ minor league ranks, PCA has stolen a total of 69 bases. 32 of these came in 2022, with 37 coming this past season.
Crow-Armstrong wasn’t afraid to take off on the base paths in his major league debut. Despite getting caught stealing third base, it was good to see the organization acknowledge his skill on the bases.
Nico Hoerner is coming off a 43-steal season in 2023 at the big league level. The potential of PCA terrorizing opponents on the base paths alongside him is a fun thought for Cubs fans.
A Surge in Pop
When Crow-Armstrong was coming out of the infamous Harvard-Westlake High School, scouts loved all of his tools, except one. Getting consistent power out of the young outfielder’s bat was of concern for certain organizations heading into the 2020 draft. That didn’t stop PCA from going 19th overall to the Mets. However, many figures in baseball knew if Crow-Armstrong could gather any kind of consistent pop in his bat, the sky would be the limit for him.
PCA generated some solid power in the 2022 season, following a shoulder injury that derailed his 2021 campaign. Across two different levels in his first full season on the Cubs farm, Crow-Armstrong clubbed 16 homers in 101 games. He also contributed 20 doubles, 10 triples, a slugging percentage of .520, and an OPS of nearly .900 (.896). It was 2022 that put PCA firmly on the rest of baseball’s radar as a legit prospect.
His 2023 minor league numbers at the dish were slightly below that of his 2022 statistics. Despite this, Crow-Armstrong still found a way to show out on the farm this past year. Between 107 contests in AA and AAA, PCA homered 20 times and drove in 21 more runs than in the season prior (82). He was able to keep his OPS above .875 as well, warranting his much-deserved call-up to the show.
Will We See PCA on Opening Day?
Based on his end-of-the-season call-up in September, it’s difficult to imagine Crow-Armstrong won’t make the Opening Day roster out the gate. His ETA is listed for 2024 and after getting his feet wet last year, it feels like now is the time for one of the brightest prospects in the game to take center stage.
Even if the Cubs bring back Cody Bellinger, operating with him at first base and PCA in center field makes plenty of sense. Spring training will be the real test for Crow-Armstrong. If he can show the front office and big league coaching staff that he can handle major league-level pitching consistently, a spot on the roster is his to lose.
Will Cody Bellinger return to the Windy City?@jonmorosi explains the impact that Cubs’ No. 1 prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong has had on the free agent slugger’s market. pic.twitter.com/7zHaqGcsUe
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 25, 2024
Despite going 0-for-14 in his brief stint in the show in 2023, I wouldn’t count PCA out just yet. He turns 22 the day before the season opener. We’ve seen all of his tools on full display for the last couple of seasons down on the farm and the potential is there. As long as he can put it all together, a lengthy major league career awaits him.
Photo Credit: “Pete Crow-Armstrong” by Minda Haas Kuhlmann is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
