Chicago Cubs News: Pete Crow-Armstrong ranked among top outfield prospects
After a breakout season in the Chicago Cubs minor league system in 2022, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is entering the 2023 season as the team's top prospect. The praise for Crow-Armstrong continues as the Cubs prepare for the start of Spring Training next month as Jim Callis of MLB's official website ranked the Cubs' prospect as one of the top outfield prospects in all of Major League Baseball.
"The Top 10 (ETA)1. Corbin Carroll, D-backs (2023)2. Jordan Walker, Cardinals (2023)3. Jackson Chourio, Brewers (2024)4. Druw Jones, D-backs (2026)5. James Wood, Nationals (2025)6. Zac Veen, Rockies (2024)7. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (2024)8. Sal Frelick, Brewers (2023)9. Robert Hassell III, Nationals (2024)10. Colton Cowser, Orioles (2023)"
- Jim Callis via MLB dot com
The estimated time of arrival that Callis places on Crow-Armstrong is 2024 and would be the safe bet. At the Major League level, the Cubs appear to be set in the outfield with Ian Happ in left field, Cody Bellinger in center field, and Seiya Suzuki in right field. It seems likely that Crow-Armstrong will begin the 2023 season with Double-A Tennessee but he is also going to be with the Major League team during Spring Training. There is a scenario that exists where Crow-Armstrong may be on an accelerated path to the Major League level this season depending on where the Cubs are in the second half of the season and what their needs are.
Callis also touched on Crow-Armstrong's defensive ability.
"Field: Crow-Armstrong (80)Scouts give top-of-the-scale grades to Crow-Armstrong for his center-field skills. He covers a tremendous amount of ground with his combination of plus speed and precise reads and routes, and his solid arm strength also rates better than most players at his position."
- Jim Callis via MLB dot com
From a defensive perspective, Crow-Armstrong is believed to be Major League-ready. Assuming Crow-Armstrong finds the same offensive success to start the 2023 season that he had in 2022, then he certainly could be in play to reach the Major League level by September.
