Is This Cubs Center Fielder Destined for the Midsummer Classic?
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been one of the most surprising young stars in baseball this season. His rare combination of elite speed, arm strength, and power has made him one of the most impressive young players in the game today. However, as summer approaches, there is one looming question when it comes to Crow-Armstrong. Does he deserve to be the starting center fielder in the All-Star Game for the National League? Let’s dive into the numbers and comparisons.
The outfield in the National League is one of the most talented positions in baseball, with names like Corbin Carroll, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto, just to name a few. However, Crow-Armstrong has done more than hold his own in comparison to these other stars when you look at the numbers. He ranks in the top five in the National League in hits, home runs, RBI, runs scored, stolen bases, and slugging percentage. Also, he is first in the National League in WAR. Not to mention, since he found his power stroke during his impressive series in Los Angeles in early April, he has been one of the best power hitters in baseball. Unfortunately, for Crow-Armstrong, his main competition for the center field spot is Carroll, who is ahead of Pete in nearly all of the offensive categories, making him a clear favorite to be one of the starting outfielders to represent the National League. Luckily for Crow-Armstrong, there is also another aspect of the game that is factored in when evaluating the outfield.
There is no debate about who the best defensive player in baseball is right now. Pete Crow-Arsmtrong leads the league in every meaningful defensive category that measures the value a player brings to their team defensively. Crow-Armstrong has a rocket arm, insane speed, and great ball-tracking skills in center field. This combination with his elite offensive numbers will be very hard for people and fans to ignore when filling out their ballots in July. He is on pace to accomplish 30 offensive WAR points, 20 defensive WAR points, and 10 baserunning WAR points, which has not been done in a season since 1910. These numbers prove Crow-Armstrong’s value as an all-around player. So, while he may not be ahead of Carroll in the majority of offensive categories, Crow-Armstrong has proven to be one of the best defensive players in the game while still being an elite offensive force both at the plate and on the bases. It is a real possibility we see Carroll and Crow-Armstrong share the outfield at the midsummer classic, but the question as to who gets the coveted center field spot will remain an intriguing question for baseball fans.
