Cubs call up top prospect Crow-Armstrong

DENVER – Pete Crow-Armstrong has the type of elite defense and plus speed that could make an impact in a postseason chase. The Cubs are putting that idea to the test as they make a final push for a place on the October stage.

The Cubs promoted Crow-Armstrong, MLB Pipeline’s No. 12-ranked overall prospect, from Triple-A Iowa for Chicago’s road series against the Rockies on Monday. Crow-Armstrong flew to Denver on Monday to join the team and was activated in time for the opener of Chicago's three-game series.

“We think Pete’s really mature and he’s an amazing competitor,” Cubs vice president of player development Jared Banner said in late August. “He shows up every day looking to work and get better. And he’s shown the ability to adjust and respond to adversity when it comes. So, he’s in a really good spot.”

Even if Crow-Armstrong is on the bench, he boasts an electric skill set that can make a difference. In center field, specifically, the 21-year-old Crow-Armstrong is not only considered one of the best defenders in the Minor Leagues, but potentially in all of baseball.

“I don’t think it’s an overstatement,” Banner said. “I think Pete is an excellent defensive outfielder. I’m not sure what exact grade I would put on him, but he’s certainly a premium defender.”

Pipeline gives him an 80 grade for defense, given his great speed (60 grade), instincts and drive to chase down baseballs in any direction. Last season, he picked up a Minor League Gold Glove Award for his work in center field down on the farm.

The promotion comes at a time when Crow-Armstrong has been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Iowa, with a .300 average and a .550 slugging percentage in nine games this month. He crushed his second grand slam in a week on Sunday and has collected 20 homers to go along with 37 stolen bases this season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He has produced a .283/.365/.511 slash line with 82 RBIs across those two levels.

The Cubs acquired Crow-Armstrong – selected 19th overall by the Mets out of Harvard-Westlake High School (Los Angeles) in the 2020 Draft – in the ‘21 Trade Deadline deal that sent shortstop Javier Báez to New York. The center fielder has pointed out in the past that Báez was his favorite player when he was a kid growing up as a Cubs fan in California.

As it happened, Báez was a highly touted Cubs prospect who got the call to The Show on Aug. 5, 2014, when the North Siders were in Colorado. In his MLB debut, the shortstop launched a game-deciding homer in the 12th inning to give him his first career hit, and Chicago a dramatic win.

Crow-Armstrong is about to start writing his own story with the Cubs.