When the Chicago Cubs traded for Pete Crow-Armstrong from the New York Mets in 2021, sending Javier Baez to Queens, they believed they had secured a future star. Crow-Armstrong’s development led to an MLB promotion in 2023, giving him the chance to make an impact at the major league level.
However, he has struggled to capitalize on this opportunity, posting a slash line of .212/.259/.298 with just one home run in 43 games this season. This disappointing performance has led some industry professionals to claim they were right in their skepticism about his potential as an impactful hitter. MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that scouts are saying, “I told you so,” regarding the overhyped nature of Crow-Armstrong.
“MLB scouts have insisted all season that Chicago Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong may not be the impact bat that’s been hyped, and so far they’ve been proven correct,” Nightengale writes. “He’s hitting .200 with a .570 OPS.”
There were always concerns about how Crow-Armstrong would fare against MLB pitching, but his performance in the minors earned him a deserved shot at the big leagues. He has some leeway due to injuries and team needs.
It’s uncommon for a player to be promoted and immediately make a significant impact. Not every prospect can be like Evan Carter, who was called up late last year and helped propel the Texas Rangers to their first World Series win. Even Carter is now struggling, slashing .188/.272/.361 this season.
For Crow-Armstrong, adjusting to the MLB level may take time. Those in the industry claiming “I told you so” might want to hold off on final judgments as his young MLB career progresses.
