Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports

Is Pete Crow-Armstrong Up with the Cubs For Good This Time?

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Bobby Foster | Last updated 4/30/24

The Chicago Cubs clearly have a youth movement throughout the organization. For the first time since the start of the championship core, the team's farm system is a treasure trove of exciting potential.

Acquired from the New York Mets in the Javier Baez trade, Pete Crow-Armstrong made his case early on that he was someone that the Cubs could look to as part of their next core.

Debuting in 2023, the outfielder was unable to collect his first hit. But now that he has another year of development under his belt, Crow-Armstrong seems much more confident on the big stage.

Green Monster, meet PCA.

Pete Crow-Armstrong with his fourth knock -- second XBH -- in his past three games with the @Cubs. pic.twitter.com/P4Sq9mqMNn
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 27, 2024

To start the season, the Cubs had Cody Bellinger in center field and Michael Busch at first base. Injuries can change things, and with the unfortunate news regarding Bellinger, one silver lining is the opening of a spot much sooner for Crow-Armstrong.

It remains to be seen how long the Cubs will give the 22-year-old the job in center field, but if they're looking toward the future, it's hard to deny the contributions he has made in such a short amount of time already.

Both Bellinger and Busch have the flexibility to play other positions, especially the former, who has many years of experience handling first base. The Cubs have to realize that the future is now and let the top prospect get his reps in center field.

"Today he took a swing that won us the ballgame."

Craig Counsell on Pete Crow-Armstrong's game-winning home run! pic.twitter.com/jekpV1guOQ
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 25, 2024

With Tuesday's lineup released , Crow-Armstrong will get the night off against left-hander Sean Manaea. If the team truly wants to see his bat progress and continue to have his glove in the outfield, they might have to start giving him some reps against lefties too.

Once Bellinger returns, it'll be interesting to see how the Cubs handle this situation. It's never good to constantly cycle a player between Triple-A and the bigs. With his hot start to the season, Crow-Armstrong looks to be in line to buy himself more time.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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