The Chicago Cubs are a team that’s looking to be more competitive for a championship in the near future. They’re building a new core, have a deep farm system, and are starting to see some of their younger pieces show flashes of what could be an incredible big leaguer. One of these pieces is rookie center fielder and former Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The 22-year old went viral on social media last night after hitting an electric inside-the-park home run in LoanDepot Park against the Miami Marlins. He topped the entire league with a 14.1 home-to-home time, showcasing his truly generational speed.
Pete Crow-Armstrong was ZOOMING around the bases on this inside-the-park homer!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2024
The @Cubs rookie posts a 14.1 sec home-to-home time, tops in @MLB this season. pic.twitter.com/P4AzcXGXVF
PCA has shown flashes of what could be an incredible everyday center fielder for the Cubs this season, but also has areas where he needs to improve. The hit tool especially is something that needs to be improved upon.
PCA never had a crazy graded hit tool coming out of the Cubs farm system. When graded as the Cubs top prospect in 2023, he was given a 55 hit and 50 power tool from MLB Pipeline. While other areas of his game were too good to keep him any lower in rankings, the hit tool has above average upside to be a solid contact hitter at the major league level.
PCA had a short stint in the majors in 2023 where he hit under .200, and since has played 90 games this season and has hit at a .216 clip. The biggest issue with his game right now is the strikeout to walk ratio. This season, PCA’s struck out 61 times, and has walked only 13.
For a player who ranks in the 99th percentile for sprint speed, having a 4.4% walk rate is a brutal loss of opportunities for runs. Going forward if PCA’s able to improve that walk rate, he’ll generate much more production on the basepaths for the Cubs. He’ll be able to steal more bases, and record more runs scored. He’s a baserunner you need on base as much as possible to produce runs himself.
At 22-years old, he has more than enough time to develop his approach and adjust even more to big league pitching. His elite speed gives him the ability to turn any small error in the field into a hit or extra base hit, as he’s shown tallying six triples as well as nine doubles.
In the field, PCA has been a phenomenal center fielder. He ranks in the 94th percentile for outs above average with seven, and in the 96th percentile for arm strength. His speed and his fielding will keep him in the lineup regardless of the hitting statistics, but the .261 on base percentage will surely improve over time.
The potential is on display every time PCA hits the field. He’s a young, fun to watch up and coming player that baseball fans should start putting more stock into as the future progresses. He alongside Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Isaac Paredes, and Cody Bellinger will be a core that will most likely take a step further in 2025. Pete Crow-Armstrong above all looks to make a big statement, for a full breakout season.
Cover Photo: Streamable