Chicago Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong ‘hitting the ball harder than ever’Ryan Sikeson March 2, 2022 at 1:00 pm

However, much like Albert Almora drew the same comparisons going into the 2012 MLB draft, Crow-Armstrong’s progression through the minors is predicated mainly on the development of his bat.

The 19-year-old phenom played in just six games last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on his non-throwing arm. At the time, Crow-Armstrong was the Mets’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com. In a small sample size, he hit a robust .417 with a 7-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio to go along with two doubles for Low-A St. Lucie.

A healthy Pete Crow-Armstrong has Chicago Cubs VP of Player Development Jared Banner raving for his potential at the plate.

A few tweaks to his swing has Cubs Vice President of Player Development Jared Banner raving about his newest hitting prospect:

“(Crow-Armstrong) is a really great athlete. I don’t know if he gets enough credit for how good of an athlete he is. He can really run, a premium defender in centerfield. And offensively, he’s just getting better and better. I know he obviously didn’t play much last season due to injury, but he did work on his body and he did get stronger and mature as a ballplayer. He’s hitting the ball harder now than ever. I think he is really going to open some eyes when he’s able to take the field again… and he’s a full go now. – Banner/Cubs Weekly Podcast

Banner is familiar with Crow-Armstrong from his time as the Mets Executive Director, Player Development, overseeing the team’s minor league system since December 2018.

Crow-Armstrong is likely a safe bet to begin the year at Low-A Myrtle Beach, but he could ascend quickly through the Cubs’ minor league system if he showcases well.