Chicago Cubs will get to see what Pete Crow-Armstrong is capable of

The Chicago Cubs almost had Pete Crow-Armstrong in the 2020 MLB Draft. They had considered taking him with the 16th overall selection before they drafted Ed Howard. However, as they decided to blow up their roster, and engaged in trade talks with the Mets, he was their primary target.

They were able to get their man at the trade deadline. Crow-Armstrong was sent to the Cubs in exchange for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams despite the fact that he was lost for the season due to shoulder surgery.

Chicago Cubs getting look at Pete Crow-Armstrong

He had played just six games with the St. Lucie Mets before being lost for the year when he tore the labrum in his non throwing shoulder sliding into third base. However, Crow-Armstrong was impressive in that time, with ten hits, including two doubles, in his 32 plate appearances. He showed a solid approach at the plate as well, with seven walks and six strikeouts. It is easy to imagine that he could be a future star.

That is what the Cubs are hoping for. Although he was not cleared to swing a bat until November, Crow-Armstrong participated in discussions about situational hitting and worked on tracking pitches. Once he was able to start hitting again, the Cubs made some tweaks to his swing to keep the barrel of the bat in the hitting zone longer.

Now the Cubs will get to see what those adjustments mean going forward. Crow-Armstrong had already been considered one of the best pure hitters in the organization, someone whose approach, ability to draw a walk, and speed make him a candidate to be a leadoff catalyst for years to come. There may even be some more pop in his bat as he gets stronger and fills out.

Chances are, his journey for the Cubs will begin in earnest in Low-A once again. That does not mean he will be there for long, especially if he is able to build on his impressive week and take those steps forward. He may be the Cubs’ fifth ranked prospect right now, but he could easily fly up those prospect lists in the next few months.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is healthy once again. The Chicago Cubs will finally get to see what they have in the highly touted outfielder.