DENVER — When Pete Crow-Armstrong walked into the guests clubhouse Monday afternoon at Coors Discipline, loads of acquainted faces had been able to welcome him.
The Chicago Cubs known as up Crow-Armstrong, their prime prospect, forward of their collection opener in opposition to the Colorado Rockies. As they attempt to lock down a playoff spot, the Cubs haven’t shied away from giving alternatives to youthful, much less skilled gamers.
Standing in entrance of his locker stall the place his new grey No. 52 street jersey hung as he obtained settled in, Crow-Armstrong exchanged hugs with Hayden Wesneski and Alexander Canario. The Cubs optioned Canario to Triple-A Iowa because the corresponding transfer. Left-hander Anthony Kay was designated for task to open a 40-man roster spot for Crow-Armstrong.
When he crossed paths with first-base coach Mike Napoli and third-base coach Willie Harris, each former large leaguers informed Crow-Armstrong to take all of it in.
“I‘m certain there’s going to be an inflow of knowledge and stuff, however finally the sport doesn’t change all that a lot,” Crow-Armstrong mentioned Monday. “… I’m wanting ahead to being within the dugout with the fellows.”
Crow-Armstrong wasn’t within the beginning lineup Monday however made his major-league debut in the seventh as a pinch runner following Mike Tauchman’s leadoff single. He tried to steal second base, which prevented Nick Madrigal’s grounder from turning into a double play ball, nevertheless, Crow-Armstrong was thrown out attempting to steal third on an ideal throw and tag by the Rockies for the second out of the seventh. He stayed within the recreation and performed heart discipline. On this first MLB plate look, Crow-Armstrong put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second within the ninth inning.
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Supervisor David Ross expects the prospect will “get some begins combined in.”
“Making an attempt to slip him in, we’re not going to pressure something,” Ross mentioned. “We’ve obtained a bunch of men which have gotten us right here, however he can positively assist us out.”
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Pete Crow-Armstrong (left) and Kevin Alcantara head to batting follow at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on March 1, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Crow-Armstrong, 21, provides the Cubs elite defense and speed at all three outfield positions for the stretch run to the postseason. The timing of his call-up isn’t misplaced on Crow-Armstrong with 18 video games left within the common season. The Cubs entered Monday sitting within the Nationwide League’s second wild-card place.
“It’s particular and it’s positively one thing that I’ve had my thoughts on for almost all 12 months,” Crow-Armstrong mentioned. “I’ve tried actually laborious to remain current. However I believe should you’re a decided particular person and should you’re a competitor that it’s laborious not to consider conditions like this. I’m right here to play my half and I believe they’ve obtained a very good factor right here so nevertheless I can slot in, I’m glad to do it and nevertheless I can produce and supply, that’s all I’m actually fascinated about.”
Acquired from the New York Mets on the 2021 commerce deadline for shortstop Javier Báez and right-hander Trevor Williams, Crow-Armstrong opened the 12 months at Double-A Tennessee.
Since his promotion to Triple-A Iowa on Aug. 1, the left-handed-hitting Crow-Armstrong put up a .271 common, .350 on-base proportion and .829 OPS in 34 video games.
The Cubs presently have 4 gamers on their 26-man roster who started within the season on the Double-A degree or decrease, all of whom Crow-Armstrong has performed with this 12 months: right-hander Daniel Palencia, left-hander Jordan Wicks, catcher Miguel Amaya and left-hander Luke Little.
