CHICAGO -- The Cubs are in win-now mode at the Major League level and are hoping to parlay this season into a sustained run that results in the club once again being a staple on the October stage. Top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is one step closer to joining that mission.
On Monday, the Cubs announced that Crow-Armstrong -- ranked baseball’s No. 7 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline -- has been promoted to Triple-A Iowa. That puts the fleet-footed center fielder one phone call away from the Friendly Confines.
The decision to bump Crow-Armstrong to the Cubs’ top rung of the Minor League ladder comes on the same day Chicago acquired third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals for two prospects. For the Nationals, that deal was similar to the future-minded moves made by Chicago in the previous two years.
That included reeling in Crow-Armstrong.
Two summers ago, the Cubs shipped star shortstop Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams to the Mets to land Crow-Armstrong. At the time, the 2020 first-round Draft pick (19th overall) was recovering from a right (non-throwing) shoulder injury. Once healthy, Crow-Armstrong thrived in Chicago’s system.
Crow-Armstrong was named to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game roster this season and last, and opened this year with Double-A Tennessee after excelling at both Single-A and High-A in 2022. Crow-Armstrong flashed surprising pop, excellent speed and picked up a Minor League Gold Glove Award for his work in center last year.
In 73 games with Tennessee this season, the 21-year-old Crow-Armstrong has hit .289/.371/.527 overall with 14 homers, 19 doubles, five triples, 60 RBIs, 31 walks, 27 steals and 68 runs scored. After posting a .934 OPS in June, Crow-Armstrong has put up a 1.031 OPS in July.
Prior to the promotion to Iowa, Crow-Armstrong had a .345/.424/.707 slash line with four steals, 10 RBIs, 12 extra-base hits, 16 runs and 20 hits in his most recent 14-game stretch for the Smokies.
For now, the Cubs have star Cody Bellinger locked in as their primary center fielder, but he could become a free agent in the offseason. Even if Chicago looks to retain Bellinger in 2024 -- he can also play first base -- Crow-Armstrong is undoubtedly coming soon for the Cubs.