NEWSLETTER
This is just so incredible. Since being sent back down to Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs top prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong, has made an absolute mockery of the league.
In his first game back, he went 2-5 with a homer. In his second game back, he went 2-4 with two walks. In his third game back, he went 2-5 with a homer and a double. And tonight, he’s already 2-3 with a double, and, you guessed it … ANOTHER homer.
Pete Crow-Armstrong. Celebration City. 🔋
The @Cubs outfielder smokes a 400-foot homer, flips his bat and pumps up the crowd for the @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/SGDTmiGDq8— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 25, 2024
That’s four-straight multi-hit games, three homers, two doubles, two walks, and three stolen bases in 3.5 games. All with 80-grade defense in center field. Just incredible.
And don’t sleep on the developmental gains here. Remember, PCA was NOT hitting well at Triple-A, before injuries forced his promotion. But ever since he hit that home run against the Astros, he’s looked like a different, calmer, more (albeit not totally) complete player at the plate. The development is happening right before our eyes and it is a beautiful sight.
If he keeps doing this much longer, the front office won’t have a choice but to call him back up. He’s already a defensive and base running upgrade to any outfielder on the roster. And if he’s actually going to hit, too … whew.
Now, you might also be wondering about the over-the-top reaction to that homer (no judgements! I love it!). Well, it just so happens, there was context.
Earlier in the at-bat, Wily Peralta threw behind Pete Crow-Armstrong … TWICE, on consecutive pitches, clearly trying to hit him (though I don’t immediately know why), which got I-Cubs manager Marty Pevey tossed from the game and both benches warned. Well, on the VERY NEXT PITCH, PCA went yard.
So, uh, yeah, that explains the bat flip (chuck?) and the helmet smashing. I absolutely love it.
